From Dubai to Colombia, Indian couples are spending crores on overseas IVF and surrogacy packages for ‘family balancing procedures’ that promise a male child.At a time when India’s sex ratio at birth remains alarmingly skewed at 929 girls for every 1,000 boys, according to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), the persistent preference for a male child is driving some couples to seek options abroad to work their way around the ban on sex determination back home. Their overriding objective — ensuring their next child is a boy.And neither former US President Donald Trump’s restrictions on “birth tourism”, nor tighter overseas visa norms, nor the rising cost of assisted reproductive technology (ART) appears to be deterring wealthy Indians from travelling thousands of kilometres — often halfway across the globe — in pursuit of bringing home a son.An investigation by STOI revealed that dozens of prospective parents, particularly from Indian metros, are travelling to destinations like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — particularly Dubai — the US, parts of South America, such as Colombia, and even Georgia for IVF or surrogacy through what is referred to as cross border reproductive care, fertility tourism or even gender selection tourism. Even Egypt showed up as an option among a small group of Indians.Cost of packageRs 1.7crOverseas IVF and surrogacy packages can cost between ₹15 lakh and ₹1.7 crore, depending on the destination and services50%+A New York fertility provider says at least half of the 100 Indian couples visiting his facility each month opt for gender selection$16,360Georgia’s price advantageGender selection costs about $16,360 in Georgia, compared with $33,760 in the US – a saving of more than 50%, based on his quoted pricesDubai’s 24-hour pitchSome overseas clinics reportedly encourage Indian couples to travel to Dubai for just 24 hours for the initial egg-retrieval stage, with the IVF procedure to be done at a subsequent dateColombia route costs Rs 57LAn Indian client quoted in the story says the surrogacy process there took three to four months and cost about $60,000, or roughly Rs 57 lakh
Rules turn key deterrent
As per law, these destinations permit the use of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) to identify an embryo’s sex. While the test is legal in India too, its use is strictly regulated and cannot be used for sex selection; it is permitted to detect chromosomal abnormalities.But these curated overseas packages combining PGT-A (for sex determination) with IVF and surrogacy do not come cheap. As per current rates, it can leave a couple poorer by anywhere between $15,000 (₹15 lakh) and $180,000 (₹1.7 crore), depending on the place and service.Though the trend, medical practitioners said, isn’t new, it has picked up pace in recent years for two reasons: more destinations on the map and the mushrooming of clinics across these locations. Social media has emerged as another powerful draw.
Reels, agents fuel demand
At least half a dozen clinics that TOI reached out to across Dubai and Colombia declined to comment, even though their Instagram handles and websites are replete with videos, reels, and promotions for their “family balancing” packages, with some explicitly courting Indian couples. Sources said many of these clinics have agents back home, to scout for clients on the ground and negotiate such ‘deals’ on their behalf.Their latest pitch? “Come to Dubai for just 24 hours if you want a boy.” There are other assurances as well: almost 100% success rate, high-tech labs, tailor-made packages and the works.“This has become a common way of attracting couples, particularly from India, because clinics know that society here is still biased towards a male child. They first ask couples to travel for a day for egg extraction. Once the embryo is ready, they ask the couples return for the IVF procedure,” explained a Hyderabad-based fertility expert, describing how clinics structure the treatment process to minimise the time that patients need to spend abroad.
India’s surrogacy law is pushing people out: Experts
He also contended that the new ART law introduced in 2022 to curb commercial surrogacy has further fuelled this exodus.“The complexity of the law is driving even genuine cases outside the country. And the option of having a male child is a bonus,” the doctor said.Perhaps that explains why Dr Deepak Gulati’s facility in New York, US, sees at least 100 Indian couples walk in every month seeking either IVF or surrogacy. Of these, at least 50%, if not more, opt for gender selection, he says.“We see continued demand growth from Indians for a male child. It is part of Indian culture and will not decline,” Dr Gulati told STOI, denying that revisions to US visa norms had affected footfall.“Most Indians coming here to have male babies are from major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad,” added Gulati.He also admitted to this demand being “directly caused by the laws in India on egg donation, surrogacy and sex selection”.
Georgia, Colombia are cheaper hubs
Riding on the growing demand among Indian couples, Dr Gulati has now opened a facility in Georgia to offer the same service at half the price.Affordability is also driving many to Colombia. Vikram S* (name changed) an artist from India, said the entire process took three to four months. “We had to spend $60,000,” he said, adding, “Only after coming here did I realise just how many Indians travel to this part of the world to have a boy. India draws IVF patients too, but loses out on sex-selection cases. Ironically, the outflow of Indian couples seeking fertility treatment overseas comes at a time when increasing numbers of NRIs and foreign nationals are travelling to India for IVF, said a Punjab-based IVF specialist. The reason: lower costs.“In less than $5,000 (below Rs 5 lakh), we complete the entire process. It costs more than double in any other part of the world,” said the doctor, reiterating that demand for a male child was steadily rising.
Bottom Callout Box:
- CALLS FOR REGULATORY RETHINK:Some doctors question if India needs to revisit its PGT-A norms, while retaining strict safeguards.
Source link
