Surrogacy - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   Which of the following is/are true regarding Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016?

1) Apart from medical expenses the surrogate mother can be paid money but the amount will be regulated.
2) Separate Budget provisions will be made as per the Bill for funding this structure regulating surrogacy.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

  • A woman will be allowed to become a surrogate mother only for altruistic purpose and under no circumstances money shall be paid to her, except for medical expenses.
  • No permanent structure is proposed to be created in the Draft Bill. Neither there are proposals for creating new posts.
  • The proposed legislation, while covering an important area is framed in such a manner that it ensures effective regulation but does not add much vertically to the current regulatory structure already in place at the central as well as states.
  • Accordingly, there will not be any financial implications except for the meetings of the National and State surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities which will be met out of the regular budget of Central and State governments.


2)   Which of the following is/are true regarding Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016?

1) The Bill allows single parents to opt for altruistic surrogacy.
2) The Bill doesn’t allow unmarried couples to opt for surrogacy.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

  • Single parents, homosexual couples, live-in relationships couples will not be allowed altruistic surrogacy.
  • Unmarried couples too are barred from opting for surrogacy.
  • The minister said that if you have a biological child or an adopted child, then altruistic surrogacy won't be allowed. The minister said that this clause was put in place to ensure that there is no different treatment for the two kids while they're being raised, or later to avoid fights over property.


3)   Which of the following is/are true regarding Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016?

1) Commercial surrogacy will be allowed but regulated by this bill.
2) India has emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples from different countries.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

  • The major benefits of the Act would be that it will regulate the surrogacy services in the country.
  • While commercial surrogacy will be prohibited including sale and purchase of human embryo and gametes, ethical surrogacy to the needy infertile couples will be allowed on fulfilment of certain conditions and for specific purposes.
  • As such, it will control the unethical practices in surrogacy, prevent commercialization of surrogacy and will prohibit potential exploitation of surrogate mothers and children born through surrogacy.
  • The 228th report of the Law Commission of India has also recommended for prohibiting commercial surrogacy and allowing ethical altruistic surrogacy to the needy Indian citizens by enacting a suitable legislation.


4)   Which of the following is/are true regarding Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016?

1) The Bill will establish ‘National Surrogacy Board’ at the central level.
2) The Bill shall apply to whole of India.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

  • The Bill will regulate surrogacy in India by establishing National Surrogacy Board at the central level and State Surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities in the State and Union Territories.
  • The legislation will ensure effective regulation of surrogacy, prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow ethical surrogacy to the needy infertile couples.
  • All infertile Indian married couple who want to avail ethical surrogacy will be benefited.
  • The Bill shall apply to whole of India, except the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The government had recently said in Parliament that provisions are being made in the draft Bill to make parentage of children born out of surrogacy “legal and transparent”.


5)   Which of the following pairs is/are correct?

1. Gestational Surrogacy:Surrogate mother is genetically related
2. Traditional Surrogacy: Surrogate mother is not genetically related


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: None

Explanation:
- Gestational Surrogacy is when a women also referred to as a surrogate mother carries a baby for an intended couple or individual.
- The gestational surrogate has no genetic relationship to the child that she is carrying.
- In Traditional Surrogacy the surrogate mother uses her own eggs to create the child that she is carrying for the intended parents or individual. Either the sperm of the intended father is used or donor sperm