Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

• Assisted Reproductive Technology is  defined as all techniques used to obtain a pregnancy by handling the sperm or egg cell outside the human body and transferring the embryo into the woman’s reproductive tract.

• These include sperm donation, in-vitro-fertilisation (IVF) (where the sperm is fertilised in a lab), and gestational surrogacy (child is not biologically related to surrogate).

Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act 2021

• It is a significant legislation in India that aims to regulate and supervise assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics and banks passed in 2021.

• It seeks to prevent misuse, ensure safe and ethical practices, and address issues related to reproductive health.

Key Provisions

• The Act defines ART comprehensively, encompassing various techniques like in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), gamete donation, and embryo transfer.

• All ART clinics and banks must be registered with the National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Registry.

• The Act establishes National and State Boards to oversee the implementation and regulation of ART services.

• It protects the rights of both gamete donors and recipients, ensuring confidentiality and ethical practices.

• It specifies penalties for violations, including illegal practices and exploitation.