The Government of India wants to ban Surrogacy for foreign couples.

Surrogacy in India is currently legal and thousands of foreign couples have travelled to India in a last ditched attempt have a family of their own.

Surrogacy is often portrayed as 'Rich foreigners exploiting the poor women of India' This cannot be further from the truth.

To act as a surrogate has given many of India's poor women the chance of a better life for themselves and their families. It empowers them and offers a chance to escape the torturous poverty cycle. They choose to act as surrogates of their own free will and need the support of their own families to do so.

The 'foreigners' seeking surrogacy services are ordinary couples who have most likely endured a fruitless fertility quest for years. Surrogacy in India offers a more affordable and often final chance of fulfilling their elusive dream. Most will have to make huge personal and financial sacrifices to embark on this journey.

If there are faults with the system, it needs to addressed by thoroughly regulating the fertility clinics offering surrogacy services. It is essential that all are operating to good medical and ethical standards to protect both surrogates and intended parents. Banning surrogacy in India is not the answer, it will simply drive the practice underground. If this Bill is passed, foreign couples will search for surrogacy services in an alternative countries, depriving the poor women of India who would choose to act as surrogates the chance of a better life.

Please sign this Petition to the Prime Minister's Office (India) as a demonstration of your support to allow surrogacy services in India to continue legally for all.