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Indian Couples Seek Male Heirs Abroad via IVF
18 Oct
Summary
- Couples travel overseas for IVF/surrogacy to ensure a male child.
- Packages cost between ₹15 lakh and ₹1.7 crore depending on destination.
- India's new ART law is driving couples to seek treatments abroad.
Wealthy Indian couples are traveling to international destinations like Dubai, Colombia, and Georgia for IVF and surrogacy, primarily to ensure the birth of a male child. This trend, often referred to as fertility tourism or gender selection tourism, is driven by a persistent societal preference for sons, despite India's skewed sex ratio at birth. Packages for these procedures can range significantly in cost, from ₹15 lakh to as much as ₹1.7 crore, varying by location and services offered.
While preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) for sex determination is legal in India, its use is strictly regulated and not permitted for sex selection. Overseas clinics capitalize on this, offering PGT-A alongside IVF and surrogacy. The introduction of India's new ART law in 2022, aimed at curbing commercial surrogacy, has also been cited by medical professionals as a factor pushing couples, even those with genuine fertility needs, to seek treatments abroad, with the option of gender selection being an additional draw.
Facilities in New York report a significant influx of Indian couples, with a large percentage opting for gender selection. Georgia and Colombia have emerged as more affordable hubs for these procedures. This cross-border reproductive care trend highlights a complex interplay of cultural preferences, legal frameworks, and the globalized nature of fertility treatments.
