Elderly couples who want to have a child through IVF should compulsorily nominate legal guardians for the baby prior to treatment, a doctor who recently helped a septuagenarian couple give birth to their first child has suggested to the apex body of gynecologists in the country.
The medical fraternity across the country had raised concern over the use of in-vitro fertilization after the Amritsar couple -- Mohinder Singh Gill (79) and his wife Daljinder Kaur (72) -- gave birth to a child on May 11, with many demanding a law in this regard due to concerns over the welfare of the child who may not get a normal childhood.
Dr Anurag Bishnoi, who helped the Amritsar couple, in his letter to Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has suggested that IVF experts should opt for self regulation while helping such couples as right of becoming mother is a "fundamental" right.
"In future while taking elderly couples above age of 50 years, IVF expert should make it mandatory for patients to nominate legal guardians before taking the IVF treatment and an affidavit in related court be made.
"This will ensure that children born to elderly get proper care in case of any eventuality. We feel this new arrangement should make all sections agree to bring end to recently risen genuine concerns by medical fraternity," he said.
Recently there has been upsurge in number of older women getting pregnant with the help of Assisted Reproductive Technology, Dr Bishnoi, an embryologist and owner of National Fertility Centre, here, said.
Educational and career goals, late marriages and rise in contraception services have also contributed to the shift in child bearing patterns, he said.
American law has no such restrictions but medicine in practice guidelines recommended that all recipients of oocyte donation over the age of 45 should undergo thorough medical evaluation, including cardiovascular testing, and a high risk obstetric consultation before treatment, he said.
"The right of becoming a mother is her fundamental right and she should continue getting it," he said.
