BENGALURU: A raging ethical debate has been triggered with two women of the city set to have uterine transplants in June. The question activists raise is: Should women undergo invasive procedures to have a biological baby?
Both the prospective recipients, born without uteruses, are in their late 20s. While the donor in one case is the mother, it is the mother’s sister in the other case.
According to Milann Fertility Centre which is performing the procedures, it is a ‘clinical trial’ which will be monitored by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).
Though Milann has received ICMR approval for the procedures as directed by the State Health Department, Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (1994) states that transplants are for “therapeutic purposes”.
Therapy means a systematic treatment of any disease or the measures to “improve health”. Milann has maintained that inability to bear children should be viewed as a “disease” and hence this transplant is “therapeutic”.
Dr Gautham Pranesh, senior vice president (operations), Milann, said the recipients will have “psychological benefits of experiencing a pregnancy and periods.” “This would have impacts socially and on the quality of life,” he said.
But, health and women’s rights activists have decried this. Public health activist Akhila Vasan said, “It is not a therapy alleviating pain or illness or saving a life. It is making opportunistic use of the pressure on women to give birth”.
Right from IVF to surrogacy and uterus transplant, these technologies have been used by the medical fraternity in a misogynistic manner. The Organ Transplant Committee should not allow this”, she said.
The transplants will be done at HCG Hospital. Though it is registered for liver transplants, it is not registered with the state authority for uterine transplant.
Dr Pranesh said he had written to the Principal Health Secretary asking if there is any further requirement post the ICMR and MCI approval. Dr Prabhakar, member secretary, State Transplant Appropriate Authority, said, “We haven’t granted Milann permission yet. I have to discuss with health commissioner if suo motu cognizance can be taken”.