Women and Assisted Reproductive Technologies ...
ARTs and Women - Assistance in Reproduction or Subjugation?
Sama’s research on ARTs was started in 2004. The first phase that ended in 2006 was conducted in the three metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad was aimed at understanding the social, medical, economic and ethical implications of ARTs. It documented the experiences of women users of these technologies as well as the perspectives of those who provide them. Some of the preliminary findings reflect that the intertwined notions of motherhood, and carrying a baby in one’s womb plays a significant role in the plummeting rise of ART industry. The interviews with women users speak about the subtle ways in which women are made to believe either through age long socialization or through subtle indicators that motherhood is their destiny. Hence it becomes quite obvious that in most cases information provided regarding diagnosis, process of ‘treatment’, success rate, and side effects gets minimized to the effect that a glamorized picture is created of these technologies.
The study also involved a critical analysis of the National Guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research to regulate the clinics providing ARTs and a review of the websites and brochures of the clinics. The study throws light on the growing commercialization of the ART industry and the commodification of women's bodies in India. The research has been useful to bring the issue in the arena of public debate and invoke greater discussion on the impact and implications of ARTs for women and to advocate for regulation of ART industry.
The second phase of the research, which began in 2007, focuses on the proliferation of ART clinics in the smaller towns and cities and the interlinkages and networks operating among these towns and metro cities. The current study also focuses on the caste, class dimensions and the role played by them in the process of accessing these technologies. The study is being conducted in four states – Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, and Maharashtra.
Sama is also trying to explore the increasing medical tourism to India by foreigners seeking cost effective ART procedures and surrogates. In this context. Sama recently release a publication titled ‘Cheap and Best- www.arts.com’, which is an analysis of websites, brochures and advertisements on assisted reproductive technologies in India. The objective of the study was to understand the ways the how the industry creates the needs it seekd to fulfil and the ways it not only justifies but glorifies itself.