Poverty makes surrogates of Indian women in Gujarat

By Rina Chandran

ANAND, India (Reuters) - Shabnam had dreamed of owning a home for years, but with few prospects for her husband, she followed the lead of many poor women in her town in western India: she signed up to carry a baby for another couple.

At the clinic of Nayna Patel, perhaps India's best-known "surrogate doctor" who delivered Anand town's first surrogate baby, more women are signing up to be surrogates, with even nurses and teachers lining up, as their husbands lose their jobs.

"The women who come here usually want the money to buy a home, pay off loans, or for their childrens' college education," said Patel in her small clinic, the walls of which are covered With clippings and pictures of Patel with babies and parents.

A surrogate is generally paid about 250,000-400,000 rupees ($4,000-$8,000), a huge sum of money in a country where many live on less than $2 a day.

Doctors with a western education, top-notch facilities and lower prices have already made India an attractive destination for procedures ranging from bypass surgery to liposuction.

Lax legislation and an entrepreneurial streak in Gujarat state have helped make Anand a last stop for many childless couples at home and abroad, after its first surrogate baby five years ago.

In this bustling town known for India's best-known brand of butter, Patel has delivered more than 100 surrogate babies, 40 percent for Indians living abroad and 20 percent for foreigners.

It all began with a grandmother surrogate for a UK couple five years ago that pitched Anand and Patel into the spotlight.

Following their lead, locals and foreigners began to flock to Patel's clinic, drawn by the lower costs, relaxed attitude toward surrogates and lack of legislation.

A draft bill on surrogacy is pending before parliament, and meanwhile, hundreds of clinics have mushroomed across the country, with critics saying touts promoting this "reproductive tourism" care little for the health or rights of the surrogates.

Patel, who was featured on a special show on Oprah Winfrey two years ago, raises her voice in defense.

"My argument is: the surrogate is not killing anyone, not committing an illegal or immoral act. And if a surrogate's child is able to get an education, if one family is able to buy a home -- and help a needy couple in the process, where is the harm?"

ETHICAL ISSUES

Not everyone sees it that way.

Patel and the couples, more than half of whom are either non-resident Indians or foreigners, have come under a barrage of criticism for "exploiting" surrogates and for glossing over the ethical debate.