Surrogacy - Legal, Ethical, Moral Issues

I have read a few posts of people about surrogacy, and I was surprised at how ignorant can people be, then they started banging utensils of being a foreigner (I don't consider lala land as foreign, anyway whatever floats their boat). But TSTT (Initially DSDT) is based in India so get over it.

Surrogacy has been legal in India since 2002, there have not been enough debate about this subject as not many people are aware of it but surrogacy has been a part of Indian culture since ages, as mentioned in Mahabharata or Ramayana (Not sure) (I don't believe in the authenticity of these books but if someone wrote about it years ago, I am sure it was practiced back then like I am writing about it now). The guidelines for surrogacy were laid down by ICMR but there was no legislative backing, resulting in commercialization of surrogacy in 2015 the surrogacy industry was about $2B in India. In 2010, a bill was formulated in India but was not passed by the parliament as a law. A new bill was brought in 2016 which contained instruction to legalize only altruistic surrogacy (Where surrogate is a relative of the couple) and couple had to prove their infertility. This is where we stand legally when it comes to surrogacy in India, morally and ethically we have a long way to go as surrogates are exploited by parents, I have sympathy in my heart for both the parties involved but when it comes to Teni's portrayal in the show, and people saying Shorvari was manipulative, I don't recall a single episode where Shorvari or Parth forced Teni to be a surrogate, Teni was a bar dancer, she's now married to Parth Bhanushali, I for one don't see this as exploitation, the only person who was wronged in all this was the biological mother, who lost everything and died knowing none loves her#Sad.

I don't know about the foreign land these people are talking about but I have seen people mentioning Germany and Surrogacy is banned in Germany because a Roman belief was that "Human do not own their body to sell it", ironically, prostitution is legal in Germany and it is home to one of the biggest brothels in the world. Germany is not my idea of a progressive world where same sex marriage was legalized last year, India is yet to be there.

You can discuss what you think about this under the post, let's have a healthy debate...

I am not aware of the legalities relating to surrogacy
However i do know about how our ancient epics like puranas Ramayan and Mahabharat implemented certain advanced medical procedures way before the world even knew such a thing existed

1) surrogacy was first mentioned or experimented in the MahaBharat times where Balaram's was the child of devaki-vasudev who was later transferred to rohini's womb..
2) traditional surrogacy was also done..when satyavati made her DIL's (Ambika and ambalika) sleep with ved vyas for a progeny to carry the heir of Hastinapur
3) Kartikeya..or Murugan as fondly called down south is also a result of surrogacy(it has many theories though) Parvati the goddess of feminity..who represents the different facets of a woman herself is a infertile woman who cant carry a child in her womb...the seeds of shiv and parvati together was later shifted to the six karthik girls..and shiva never had physical relationship with anyone else except Parvati..
4)there has been examples of sperm donation too..thats how hanuman was born..shiv's seed fertilised with anjani who was wind god's wife(Vayu)
5) Test tube baby concept comes while one talks about the birth of 100 kauravas..
6) Kunti giving birth to her kids who werent pandu's kids also has many theories...i believe it was a traditional way of giving birth only...she isnt a character i admire that much in the story..
I believe that our puranas and epics has given us all the stories where it highlights many such medical experiments tat was done..
And all of this explains that not every woman is blessed with the boon of carrying a child in her womb..that doesnt mean they shud be snatched off from the rights of becoming a mother of her own child ever...if one woman cant have that happiness another woman can become a source of that for her too...and most importantly it showed us that every person pays for watever good or bad deeds he or she does on the planet...and m proud of the values and wisdom it is giving the world..it has definitely stories of women who have met brutal ends when they tried to destroy other woman's household or have tried to eye other woman's husbands...if u want i can tell u the stories of those too 😆

This is exactly why i pay two hoots to wat other country or other culture has to say about ours or our laws..watever laws and regulations we have has had a strong foundation and we are well aware whether we are doing it the wrong way or not

Originally posted by: DimpledGirl203

I am not aware of the legalities relating to surrogacy
However i do know about how our ancient epics like puranas Ramayan and Mahabharat implemented certain advanced medical procedures way before the world even knew such a thing existed

1) surrogacy was first mentioned or experimented in the MahaBharat times where Balaram's was the child of devaki-vasudev who was later transferred to rohini's womb..
2) traditional surrogacy was also done..when satyavati made her DIL's (Ambika and ambalika) sleep with ved vyas for a progeny to carry the heir of Hastinapur
3) Kartikeya..or Murugan as fondly called down south is also a result of surrogacy(it has many theories though) Parvati the goddess of feminity..who represents the different facets of a woman herself is a infertile woman who cant carry a child in her womb...the seeds of shiv and parvati together was later shifted to the six karthik girls..and shiva never had physical relationship with anyone else except Parvati..
4)there has been examples of sperm donation too..thats how hanuman was born..shiv's seed fertilised with anjani who was wind god's wife(Vayu)
5) Test tube baby concept comes while one talks about the birth of 100 kauravas..
6) Kunti giving birth to her kids who werent pandu's kids also has many theories...i believe it was a traditional way of giving birth only...she isnt a character i admire that much in the story..
I believe that our puranas and epics has given us all the stories where it highlights many such medical experiments tat was done..
And all of this explains that not every woman is blessed with the boon of carrying a child in her womb..that doesnt mean they shud be snatched off from the rights of becoming a mother of her own child ever...if one woman cant have that happiness another woman can become a source of that for her too...and most importantly it showed us that every person pays for watever good or bad deeds he or she does on the planet...and m proud of the values and wisdom it is giving the world..it has definitely stories of women who have met brutal ends when they tried to destroy other woman's household or have tried to eye other woman's husbands...if u want i can tell u the stories of those too 😆

This is exactly why i pay two hoots to wat other country or other culture has to say about ours or our laws..watever laws and regulations we have has had a strong foundation and we are well aware whether we are doing it the wrong way or not

Excellent points... I don't believe there is any society in the world which is away from scrutiny of immoral or Inhumane behavior, but we have to move ahead in life and explore all the options. Surrogacy is a contract between two adults, neither we are allowed to judge what they should do with their lives nor the law unless someone is wronged or hurt. It's an option for people to have kids and it's stupid to oppose it.

Originally posted by: Luv_PaRiAnSh

I don't know much about the laws on Surrogacy either.

But I'm not a supporter of surrogacy. I know I'm a minority here in this, but that's my opinion...

I have kids but that isn't the reason why I can't understand the ill fated couples who can't become parents for their own kids. But I'm a mother who knows the pain and the emotional involvement a woman goes through during her pregnancy period. As a mother I'm too emotionally involved with my kids, and I don't think it's any easier for a woman to bear all the pain of pregnancy and doesn't even get to hold or see that baby whom she carried in her womb for months together. I consider it to be the biggest torment. Ive personally seen my cousin go through such a pain when she lost her girl baby within three days after its birth. That was absolutely a nightmare.

Secondly, the reason you've mentioned here. That they're exploited badly by the parents. There was one more instance your shared a few days back about how an unmarried nurse went through traditional surrogacy was abandoned by her family and also the couple , which led to she raising the baby on her own... So such unfortunate surrogates do exist, right? I pity them !!

I've argued with one of the members here in the initial stage of this show, that I'd prefer them adopting orphan kids.. in fact I was discussing about this with a friend even yesterday that how Krushna and his wife became parents through surrogacy.

Many say adopting isn't easy, the feeling of my own blood my own kid doesn't let the parents accept the kids heartily. I don't deny that,its not easy to accept some others kids as ours. But when a woman is expected to do a sacrifice of bearing the kid for you and giving it away, the childless parents can also have a big heart to accept and adopt orphans, imo! Even with adoption ive personal experience, my paternal aunt who was childless adopted a girl and she is happy now. Similarly one of my husband's close colleague who's a family friend too, adopted a girl and are happily raising her.

So these are the reasons from my personal exoerince why i dont surrogacy but would prefer adoption..

No offence to people with opposite views, im just stating my opinion.

But when it comes to this show, i can never support Teni, she was never this poor surrogate mother who suffered. She was presented more of an obsessive lover who fell for a married man and tried to get closer to him using the baby in her womb. She never was exploited by shorvari period. She always had a choice to refuse which she didnt. So shorvari isnt the cunning rich wife as many claim...

But I'd say one thing, even if couples choose surrogacy the couples should be like PaRi, and the surrogates should never be like Teni...

I prefer adoption to surrogacy as well, You just need to love the baby, but the thought of "Blood and Genes" fails me. I can only imagine the pain of a woman who has to give up her child in the end, but surrogacy is just an option not a solution... When it comes to altruistic surrogacy, someone from family can happily give the child to her brother but she will always be there to see the child she gave birth to and it'll be difficult for her to grow past the pain, which is not the case in commercial surrogacy as the mother will not stay with parents but I believe there should be regulations in it and laws to protect surrogate mother from exploitation...

Originally posted by: DracarysTrio

I prefer adoption to surrogacy as well, You just need to love the baby, but the thought of "Blood and Genes" fails me. I can only imagine the pain of a woman who has to give up her child in the end, but surrogacy is just an option not a solution... When it comes to altruistic surrogacy, someone from family can happily give the child to her brother but she will always be there to see the child she gave birth to and it'll be difficult for her to grow past the pain, which is not the case in commercial surrogacy as the mother will not stay with parents but I believe there should be regulations in it and laws to protect surrogate mother from exploitation...

Think about it in another way. Imagine a woman with already two kids, her husband is a drunkard or unemployed, or both. She can't feel her kids, can't take care of them. The option of surrogacy is best for her as she can earn money quickly, which might be a lot for her. So it can give her family a good future and her real kids can benefit.

I won't say there is no exploitation but there can be exploitation in many professions. Prostitutes are exploited, even Hollywood actresses are, daily labourers are, so if can happen in any profession.

Regarding emotional connect, it's tricky, but I feel the surrogate usually had made her kind regarding this that she will have to part away with the baby, and in my opinion the parents shud provide her with professional counselling too if required.

With proper rule and regulation surrogacy isn't bad, it can be good for both the parties.

Originally posted by: ruhi86

Think about it in another way. Imagine a woman with already two kids, her husband is a drunkard or unemployed, or both. She can't feel her kids, can't take care of them. The option of surrogacy is best for her as she can earn money quickly, which might be a lot for her. So it can give her family a good future and her real kids can benefit.

I won't say there is no exploitation but there can be exploitation in many professions. Prostitutes are exploited, even Hollywood actresses are, daily labourers are, so if can happen in any profession.

Regarding emotional connect, it's tricky, but I feel the surrogate usually had made her kind regarding this that she will have to part away with the baby, and in my opinion the parents shud provide her with professional counselling too if required.

With proper rule and regulation surrogacy isn't bad, it can be good for both the parties.

There was a movie in Telugu (South) Acted By Late Soundarya 👏 Top Star 😊 regarding Surrogacy over a Decade ago 2000 or before year 😲 titled 9months ⭐️ . She opted for surrogacy to clear financial troubles 😭 urgency of money to operate her husband life in Danger after recovery her husband n society around accused her character /for lending womb for Money 😲 she gone through the humiliations /tortures 😲 . her husband applied for Divorce 😭 there in court arguments Surrogacy subject discussed clearly /Cleanly 😃 no where Biological parents seen in movie 😛 it is completely highlight life of surrogate n her own troubles 😭 ...movie critically acclaimed 👏 ⭐️ got many awards ⭐️ lot of Appreciation for Presenting Such Sensible Topic in clean way n Brilliant Performance Depicted by Versatile Actress ⭐️ . 👏 ...

Originally posted by: vinnas

There was a movie in Telugu (South) Acted By Late Soundarya 👏 Top Star 😊 regarding Surrogacy over a Decade ago 2000 or before year 😲 titled 9months ⭐️ . She opted for surrogacy to clear financial troubles 😭 urgency of money to operate her husband life in Danger after recovery her husband n society around accused her character /for lending womb for Money 😲 she gone through the humiliations /tortures 😲 . her husband applied for Divorce 😭 there in court arguments Surrogacy subject discussed clearly /Cleanly 😃 no where Biological parents seen in movie 😛 it is completely highlight life of surrogate n her own troubles 😭 ...movie critically acclaimed 👏 ⭐️ got many awards ⭐️ lot of Appreciation for Presenting Such Sensible Topic in clean way n Brilliant Performance Depicted by Versatile Actress ⭐️ . 👏 ...

Originally posted by: DimpledGirl203

I am not aware of the legalities relating to surrogacy
However i do know about how our ancient epics like puranas Ramayan and Mahabharat implemented certain advanced medical procedures way before the world even knew such a thing existed

1) surrogacy was first mentioned or experimented in the MahaBharat times where Balaram's was the child of devaki-vasudev who was later transferred to rohini's womb..
2) traditional surrogacy was also done..when satyavati made her DIL's (Ambika and ambalika) sleep with ved vyas for a progeny to carry the heir of Hastinapur
3) Kartikeya..or Murugan as fondly called down south is also a result of surrogacy(it has many theories though) Parvati the goddess of feminity..who represents the different facets of a woman herself is a infertile woman who cant carry a child in her womb...the seeds of shiv and parvati together was later shifted to the six karthik girls..and shiva never had physical relationship with anyone else except Parvati..
4)there has been examples of sperm donation too..thats how hanuman was born..shiv's seed fertilised with anjani who was wind god's wife(Vayu)
5) Test tube baby concept comes while one talks about the birth of 100 kauravas..
6) Kunti giving birth to her kids who werent pandu's kids also has many theories...i believe it was a traditional way of giving birth only...she isnt a character i admire that much in the story..
I believe that our puranas and epics has given us all the stories where it highlights many such medical experiments tat was done..
And all of this explains that not every woman is blessed with the boon of carrying a child in her womb..that doesnt mean they shud be snatched off from the rights of becoming a mother of her own child ever...if one woman cant have that happiness another woman can become a source of that for her too...and most importantly it showed us that every person pays for watever good or bad deeds he or she does on the planet...and m proud of the values and wisdom it is giving the world..it has definitely stories of women who have met brutal ends when they tried to destroy other woman's household or have tried to eye other woman's husbands...if u want i can tell u the stories of those too 😆

This is exactly why i pay two hoots to wat other country or other culture has to say about ours or our laws..watever laws and regulations we have has had a strong foundation and we are well aware whether we are doing it the wrong way or not

@bold, that's a very interesting perspective about it! Thanks for putting it here. I think until it is not commercialized, surrogacy can be looked at as a boon, provided both the parties are getting into it willingly and are fully aware of all consequences/are counseled about it.