The govt evaluates guidelines for ART clinics
Published by quizman March 25th, 2005 in GeneralAccording to the Indian Express, the Indian govt is evaluating a set of guidelines for Infertility clinics. Quote from IE:
“When there were no rules, there was no question of prosecution, said a senior ICMR official, adding, there is no reliable information on the number of ART clinics in India as there is no registry available.
The ICMR seems to have created the guidelines in consultation with bodies like the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Women (NCW). Some of the guidelines (PDF) seem eminently sensible, given the sensitive nature of this process - like DNA fingerprinting, protection of the donor’s identity, HIV and Hepatitis tests, and donor/surrogate relinquishing parental rights.
I loved 3.5.2:
There would be no bar to the use of ART by a single women who wishes to have a child, and no ART clinic may refuse to offer its services to the above, provided other criteria mentioned in this document are satisfied. The child thus born will have all the legal rights on the woman or the man.
The ones that concerned me were these:
3.5.20. The data of every accredited ART clinic must be accessible to an
appropriate authority of the ICMR for collation at the national level.3.5.13. ..snipped…It will be the responsibility of the ART clinic to obtain sperm from appropriate banks; neither the clinic nor the couple shall have the right to know
the donor identity and address, but both the clinic and the couple, however, shall have the right to have the fullest possible information from the semen bank on the donor such as height, weight, skin colour, educational qualification, profession, family background, freedom from any known diseases or carrier status (such as hepatitis B or AIDS), ethnic origin, and the DNA fingerprint (if possible)…snipped…
3.5.20 does not make it not clear whether the information dissemination is done after consent by the patients. 3.5.13 has the vague term “family background”, the implications of which are not clear. It is normal practice for the other factors to be made available to the recipients.
I found 3.5.7 disquieting:
No more than three eggs or embryos should be placed in a woman during any one treatment cycle, regardless of the procedure used, excepting under exceptional circumstances {such as elderly women (above 37 years), poor implantation (more than three previous failures), advanced endometriosis, or poor embryo quality} which should be recorded.
As far as I know, in the US, the decision on the number of embryos that should be transferred is left to the recipient and where applicable, the spouse. As long as the recipient is aware of the risk and does it voluntarily, why not do the same in India?
It is highly encouraging that the ICMR is creating a database (PDF) that covers all aspects of infertility. These will definitely help clinics reduce the risk of treatment.
I liked the sample consent forms which are similar to those available in top-notch clinics in the US. Though, there should be mandatory genetic counselling by clinics (usually on the potential risk of Down’s syndrome)
As is often the case with Indian guidelines or laws, some of them are reasonable while others need to be questioned.
Don’t you just love the way the file names have spaces? :-)
Premashree,
yup. :-( Sadly, the links did not work on my Firefox browser, but worked on IE.
Quizman: that’s kinda not possible. Should work. Name’s Premshree, btw. :-)
This is bound to keep happening as long as the capitalist pigs have control over the means of production. Let us usher in a revolution, Comrade. :P
I appreciate your enthusiasm Comrade Sabnis, but why do you think names won’t be misspelt once the revolution comes?
Guidelines for Infertility clinics? Guess…most women (and men) have been complaining of advances by Doctors huh? ;-)
Jammy?
Goodday Doctor,
I am very much glad to see your site,My doctor actually introduced me to your site.any way my main purpose of writting is to inform you that my wife has been
having a serious problem with our Medical Treatment.Which has been
affecting her for the past five months now.And we have been
to several hospital spent alot of money hear in nigeria just to see that
we find a cure to her Infertility Related Issues.Serveral tests and
X-rays has been done,which has now required a specialist Treatment.
The doctor said that my wife had an IUD for 5 months now.And When she first got it, she had some heavy bleeding, but its subsided.
Normally she gets like 3 day light period..However,she has not seen her period for the past 2 months now.
I know it’s normal for some people with an IUD to stop menstrating all together,not until IUD is out…then she have nothing to worry about her pregnancy??
What’s my chances??
Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated. So i am using this medium to ask for a Medical
invitation letter from your hopital,to enable us visit your hospital for
treatment.
I have taken a permission from my place of work for an annual leave,
for the period of one month,So that i can bring them along for treatment. And am glad to let you know that the
management has approved a one month annual leave for me in respect
of the treatment that will take place in your hospital at CHINA. We’ll
like to take the treatment as soon as possible,so that i can continue
with my job.I have been to the CHINESE Embassy for the recuirments
needed, and the consulate there said we would have to contact your
hopital so that you can send us a medical invitation letter to enable us come treatments in your hospital.
More so i will like to inform you that i the HUSBAND will be responsible for our feeding and accomodation.we might not know the amount that is involve in the reatment an so on,W’ll be coming with our travellars check. THANKS
Hope to hear from you soonest.
Yours faithful,
Richard Duke