Section 24 - Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021

The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021

24. Duties of assisted reproductive technology clinics using human gametes and embryos. -

While using human gametes and embryos, the duties to be performed by the clinics and banks shall be as under:-

(a) the clinics shall retrieve oocytes in such manner as may be specified by regulations;

(b) not more than three oocytes or embryos may be placed in the uterus of a woman during the treatment cycle in such manner as may be specified by regulations;

(c) a woman shall not be treated with gametes or embryos derived from more than one man or woman during any one treatment cycle;

(d) a clinic shall never mix semen from two individuals for the procedures specified under this Act;

(e) the embryos shall not be split and used for twinning to increase the number of available embryos;

(f) the collection of gametes posthumously shall be done only if prior consent of the commissioning couple is available in such manner as may be prescribed;

(g) the clinic shall not use ovum that are derived from a foetus, in any process of in-vitro fertilisation; and

(h) such other duties as may be prescribed. 14

Explanation.-For the purposes of this section, the expression-

(i) "fertilisation" means the penetration of the ovum by the spermatozoon and fusion of genetic materials resulting in the development of a zygote; and

(ii) "foetus" means a human organism during the period of its development beginning on the fifty-seventh day following fertilisation and ending at birth or abortion.