The meet in Ranchi on Tuesday. (Hardeep Singh)

Ranchi, June 29: The legislature will have to delve into various issues like morality and legality before converting the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill 2010 into a law, feels Justice B.S. Chauhan of the Supreme Court.

Speaking at a conference on law and morality with special reference to surrogacy yesterday, Justice Chauhan said the bill — which is in the finalisation stage — would have to take into account the rights of a single woman or even a minor for entering into a surrogacy contract.

“The proposed bill at present provides that a married woman needs to take the consent of her husband to become a surrogate mother in return for money.

In view of the fast-changing conditions in our society with the concept of live-in relationships, single parents and even gay and lesbian relationships gaining ground, lawmakers will have to extend the ambit of the proposed legislation to deliver justice to all,” said Justice Chauhan.

There have been cases where a surrogate mother who had given consent to bear the child of another couple in return for money later declined to hand over custody of the child to its biological parents. Justice Chauhan laid emphasis on the psychological attachment that the surrogate mother develops during the nine months of pregnancy.

The bill will also need to examine the rights of a child born deformed and that of the surrogate mother.

Earlier speaking on the occasion, acting Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court Prakash Chandra Tatia said surrogacy was not a new concept in India.