Examining Egg Donor Rights in the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 of India: A Medico-legal Study

The eagerly awaited Surrogacy (Regulation) Act of 2021, following extensive deliberations and amendments during its legislative journey, disappointingly neglects the essential rights of egg donors, notably in terms of health insurance coverage and safeguarding their well-being throughout and after the egg retrieval process. The Act lacks provisions for addressing reported instances of medical complications and, tragically, even the unfortunate demise of egg donors. This significant oversight not only infringes upon the fundamental rights of these contributors but also underscores a disproportionate emphasis on the rights of surrogate mothers within the framework of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. This research endeavor seeks to illuminate the deficiencies within the Act as it pertains to the rights of egg donors and, in response, proposes viable remedies for consideration.