Three expert groups have been established by the National Commission for Women (NCW) to investigate the ethical, legal, regulatory, and medical components of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) services, with a focus on safeguarding women’s reproductive rights.

Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), presided over the first meeting of the Expert Committee on ART, IVF Clinics, and Protection of Women’s Reproductive Rights, where the initiative was officially introduced.

The conference signaled the start of the Committee’s discussion over a thorough examination of the ethical, legal, regulatory, and medical facets of ART and IVF treatments in the nation.

Members of the National Commission for Women’s Expert Committee, including Justice (Retd. ) Asha Menon, Committee Chair.

Richa Saxena, Scientist C at the DHR’s ART and Surrogacy Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, who represented the Ministry at the meeting, also attended the discussions.

The conference brought together specialists from the legal, public administration, social, and medical fields to discuss the quickly changing IVF and ART ecosystems.

While emphasizing the necessity for a balanced, rights-based, and accountable regulatory framework, members expressed their opinions and recommendations on the industry’s new challenges.

The Expert Committee made the decision to form three thematic groups, each of which was given particular areas for in-depth research and recommendations in order to make it easier to conduct a thorough analysis of the several topics related to ART and IVF treatments.

According to the Commission, the Ethical Group will consider subjects such as informed consent, reproductive autonomy, privacy and confidentiality, donor management, embryo-related issues, the prevention of exploitation, and other ethical issues pertaining to the protection of women’s reproductive rights.

Additionally, the Commission stated that the Legislative and Regulatory Group would examine the current legal and regulatory framework governing ART and IVF services, assess implementation mechanisms, pinpoint regulatory and enforcement gaps, and propose suitable legal, institutional, and policy changes.

It went on to state that the Medical and Preventive Group would review clinical protocols, laboratory methods, patient safety procedures, quality standards, record keeping, biological traceability, preventive safeguards, and national and international best practices related to ART and IVF services.