‘Beautiful and fair’ preferred among surrogate mothers too

Caste and religion are also key factors while renting wombs: study

The Hindu (Aarti Dhar) : Beautiful and fair — words traditionally synonymous with brides — are being used for renting a womb. For, not only are “healthy, beautiful, fair and higher caste or Brahmin’’ surrogates in great demand, they also receive good payment in cash and kind from the commissioning parents after delivery.

Doctors and agents have confirmed — in a study by Sama, a Delhi-based resource group working on women’s and health issues — that there were preferred criteria set by the commissioning parents, such as ‘higher caste,’ Brahmins and a particular religion, often directed by their own identity. Commissioning parents shower gifts on surrogate mothers for producing healthy and good-looking babies.