Nothing wrong in commercializing egg/sperm donation: P M Bhargava

EHM News Bureau - Mumbai

(From L to R) Dr Reshma Pai, Dr Nandita Palshetkar, Dr P M Bhargava and Dr Hriskesh Pai at the public forum organised by MOGS

With the ICMR guidelines on ART clinics waiting to be tabled in the parliament soon, one of the committee members on ICMR’s panel, scientist Dr P M Bhargava, feels nothing is wrong with commercialization of egg and sperm donation. “What is wrong if young women who need money for furthering studies or to support themselves, gets paid for donating eggs?” asked Dr Bhargava, in a debate organized by Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynecological Society (MOGS), an association of 1,700 gynaecologists in Mumbai, to protest against certain sections of the guidelines. The guidelines have banned related egg and sperm donation, allowing only commercial donation.

According to Dr Bhargava, “It is convenient for an infertile couple to have a related donor, but the psychological implications are galore.” He added that it has been noticed that related donation, mainly by a brother-in-law, has psychological effect on a woman. “In instances when the brother-in-law has donated eggs, we have noticed that there is discomfiture for the woman, to see the donor so often and be reminded of the fact that he has donated the sperms,” he said , adding, “It is equally bad on the child’s psychology to be reminded that his real father is his uncle.” Of course, his views met with loud protests from members of MOGS.
Said renowned gynaecologist Dr Indira Hinduja, “Let’s not forget that this is India. How can we allow young girls to sell eggs?” Questions were raised as to the risks associated with egg donation, which can be life-threatening. Asked Dr Mandakini Parihar, K G Somaiya Medical College, “Who is responsible, if one of these young donors faces life-threatening risks?” Gynaecologists were also irked about accreditation of clinics at all level. “We must not forget the purpose with which the ART practices were started in India, ie to help infertile couples,” said Dr Indira Hinduja. She added that the section which states that all the infertility clinics have to registered would put a stop to clinics at the rural level, ultimately discriminating the have and have nots. Fielding the question, Dr Bhargava said, “Wherever there is malpractice or scope for malpractice, accreditation is necessary.”

Complained Dr Aniruddha Malpani, MD, Malpani Infertility Clinic, “Though the ICMR has put the guidelines on the website opening a public debate, there is no transparency. It is all a pretense.”

Gynaecologists Dr Nandita Palshhetkar and Dr Hrikesh Pai of Lilavati hospital questioned about the inappropriateness of having 13 different sections for a infertility clinic, on the ground that it is an impossibility in a place like Mumbai, where space is at premium and that it would also add up to the expenses of the patient. “The guidelines have banned fresh sample to avoid HIV infection, which is fair enough, but the expense of having frozen sample would add up to the expense of the patient, added Dr Pai.