A bill proposing a complete ban on commercial surrogacy was yesterday approved by the government. We take a look at some facts about surrogacy, celebs who have surrogate children, and also some reactions.
Also Read: <a href="http://www.mid-day.com/articles/did-sushma-swaraj-taunt-shah-rukh-khan-and-aamir-khan-for-opting-surrogacy-for-fashion/17559169" target="_blank">Did Sushma Swaraj taunt Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan for opting surrogacy for fashion?&nbsp;</a>
The Union Cabinet gave its nod to the introduction of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 in Parliament, seeking a bar on unmarried couples, single parents, live-in partners and homosexuals from opting for surrogacy, to check unethical practices.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2016/aug/Pregnant-woman.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="417" />
Criticism of altruistic surrogacy Addressing a press conference after the Union Cabinet approved the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, the minister said she feels "sad" to say that what had started in the name of "necessity" has today become a "fashion".
She said the Bill comes at a time when India has emerged as a hub of commercial surrogacy for couples seeking children.
Read Story: <a href="http://www.mid-day.com/articles/cabinet-adopts-bill-to-abort-commercial-surrogacy/17557189" target="_blank">Cabinet adopts bill to abort commercial surrogacy</a>
Referring to "big celebrities", though without naming them, Swaraj said they have opted for surrogacy and it has become a trend. She said under the bill, the procedure has been allowed for necessity and not "shauk" (fondness or fashion).
What is altruistic surrogacy? Altruistic surrogacy is when a surrogate is given no financial gain for carrying a child. Only expenses such as medical costs, travel, time off work, etc, are borne by the intended parents.
Indian celebs who have surrogate children
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/nov/03-AbRam-SRK_l.jpg" alt="" width="435" height="290" /> Shah Rukh Khan: In July 2013, Shah Rukh Khan and wife Gauri Khan became parents of a surrogate baby. The child, named AbRam was born at the Masrani Hospital for Women in Andheri, at 34 weeks of pregnancy and weighed 1.5kg at birth.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2014/nov/30-Aamir-Khan-1_l.jpg" alt="" width="435" height="290" />
Aamir Khan: In December 2011, Aamir Khan and his filmmaker wife Kiran Rao welcomed their first baby after resorting to in vitro fertilization (IVF) surrogacy. The child was named Azad Khan.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2016/jun/28-Tusshar-baby-boy-l.jpg" alt="" width="435" height="290" /> Jeetendra with Tusshar Kapoor&rsquo;s son
Tusshar Kapoor: In July this year, Tusshar Kapoor proudly announced the arrival of his son, a baby boy, born through IVF and surrogacy. The baby was named Laksshya, and was said to be born in excellent health
Twitter Reactions
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The main aim of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SurrogacyBill?src=hash">#SurrogacyBill</a> is to not allow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/surrogacy?src=hash">#surrogacy</a> to those people who need it the most. Because it is against our ethos!
&mdash; Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShirishKunder/status/768699314902339584">August 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
This isn't a progressive bill <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Surrogacy?src=hash">#Surrogacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/vhNMXVOEAd">https://t.co/vhNMXVOEAd</a>
&mdash; Shilpi Dubey Pathak (@ShilpiDPathak) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShilpiDPathak/status/768400946762227712">August 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Commercial <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/surrogacy?src=hash">#surrogacy</a> banned in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash">#India</a>. Conditional altruistic surrogacy only for indian couples. This hasnt been more controversial.
&mdash; Raksha Kumar (@Raksha_Kumar) <a href="https://twitter.com/Raksha_Kumar/status/768383596373561344">August 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Ban on Commercial <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Surrogacy?src=hash">#Surrogacy</a> is very good step but implementation of law to control illegal Surrogacy will be biggest challenge
&mdash; Asjad Khan (@rite_white) <a href="https://twitter.com/rite_white/status/768382280217886720">August 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
sushma spouts 'our ethos' morality on surrogacy bill. guess its been a while since we heard about lalit modi
&mdash; Hartosh Singh Bal (@HartoshSinghBal) <a href="https://twitter.com/HartoshSinghBal/status/768667916145397760">August 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Surrogacy Bill needs a re-look. Categories of people excluded from surrogate parenthood is too large. Don't deny them happiness.
&mdash; Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) <a href="https://twitter.com/swapan55/status/768666705761538048">August 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Surrogacy Bill must not be enforced, acts as support system for poor women:K.T.S Tulsi
&mdash; Yash (@AficionadoYash) <a href="https://twitter.com/AficionadoYash/status/768650338609967104">August 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

A bill proposing a complete ban on commercial surrogacy was yesterday approved by the government. We take a look at some facts about surrogacy, celebs who have surrogate children, and some reactions

Birth of a controversy: Debate on surrogacy engages nation

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Birth of a controversy: Debate on surrogacy engages nation

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