Impact of culture and religion on assisted reproductive technologies in India: a comprehensive review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20262156Keywords:
Assisted reproductive technologies, Culture, Religion, Surrogacy, Infertility, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, ICSI, IVFAbstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have emerged as important medical interventions for infertility; however, their acceptance and utilization are strongly influenced by cultural and religious beliefs, particularly in a diverse country like India. This review explores the impact of cultural diversity and religious perspectives on the perception and practice of ART in the Indian context. Indian society places significant importance on marriage, parenthood, lineage continuation, and family honour, which contributes to the social stigma associated with infertility, especially for women. Regional cultural variations across North, South, East, West, and North-East India further shape attitudes toward infertility treatment, access to fertility services, and acceptance of procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete donation, and surrogacy. Religious beliefs also play a major role in reproductive decision-making. Hinduism generally demonstrates a permissive approach toward ART, whereas Islam restricts third-party reproduction to preserve lineage. Christian perspectives vary across denominations, with Roman Catholic teachings opposing most ART procedures, while protestant groups may permit selected interventions. Buddhism and Sikhism are comparatively flexible, whereas Jainism adopts a cautious ethical stance emphasizing non-violence. The review additionally discusses the ethical and socio-legal implications of surrogacy and highlights the influence of recent Indian legislation, including the surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Assisted reproductive technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. Understanding these cultural and religious dimensions is essential for promoting culturally competent fertility counselling, ethical reproductive healthcare, and equitable access to ART services in India.
References
Ensafdaran F, Nejabat M, Sabetian S, Jahromi BN, Hemmati F. The effect of spiritual health on psychological distress of infertile women: the role of perceived social support as a mediator. J Reprod Infertil. 2024;25(4):290-8.
Kassa GM, Arowojolu AO, Odukogbe AA, Yalew AW. Attitude towards assisted reproductive technology: acceptance of donor eggs, sperms and embryos as treatment of human infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Health. 2024;21:10.
Martin-Anatias N, Davies S. Exploring Muslim communities’ experiences and barriers while accessing assisted reproductive technologies: a scoping review of international literature. J Relig Health. 2024;63:1-24.
Vijay AS, Syed F, Karri SK. Frontiers in fertility: a review of breakthroughs in assisted reproductive technology. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2025;14(2):1-10.
Martin-Anatias N, Davies S. Exploring Muslim communities’ experiences and barriers while accessing assisted reproductive technologies: a scoping review of international literature. J Relig Health. 2024;63:1-24.
Sarojini N, Marwah V, Shenoi A. Globalisation of birth markets: a case study of assisted reproductive technologies in India. Glob Health. 2011;7:27.
Sharma RS. Social, ethical, medical and legal aspects of surrogacy: an Indian scenario. Indian J Med Res. 2014;140(1):S13-6.
Inhorn MC. Making Muslim babies: IVF and gamete donation in Sunni versus Shi’a Islam. Cult Med Psychiatry. 2006;30(4):427-50.
Shafi S. Islamic insights on assisted reproductive technology: navigating Sunni and Shi’a perspectives. Res Rev Int J Multidiscip. 2024;9(1):8-15.
Roberts RP. Religion and reproductive technology: Christian perspectives on assisted reproduction. J Relig Health. 2012;51(3):719-31.
Vijay AS, Syed F, Karri SK. Frontiers in fertility: a review of breakthroughs in assisted reproductive technology. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2025;14(2):1-10.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Dignitas Personae: On Certain Bioethical Questions. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2008. Available at: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20081208_dignitas-personae_en.html?. Accessed on 23 April 2026.
Fehring RJ. A historical review of the Catholic scientists who answered the call of Humanae Vitae. Linacre Q. 2020;87(2):220-32.
Kassa GM, Arowojolu AO, Odukogbe AA, Yalew AW. Attitude towards assisted reproductive technology: acceptance of donor eggs, sperms and embryos as treatment of human infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Health. 2024;21:10.
Sallam HN, Sallam NH. Religious aspects of assisted reproduction. Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2016;8(1):33-48.
Halvaei I, Khalili MA, Ghasemi-Esmailabad S, Nabi A, Shamsi F. Zoroastrians support oocyte and embryo donation program for infertile couples. J Reprod Infertil. 2014;15(4):222-5.
Hackett C, Grim B, Stonawski M, Skirbekk V, Kuriakose N, Potancokova M. Methodology of the Pew Research global religious landscape study. In: Yearbook of International Religious Demography. Leiden: Brill; 2014:167-75.
Hanefeld J, Smith R, Horsfall D, Lunt N. What do we know about medical tourism? A review of the literature with discussion of implications for public healthcare systems. J Travel Med. 2014;21(6):410-7.
Government of India. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. New Delhi: Ministry of Law and Justice, 2021. Available at: https://egazette.nic.in/ WriteReadData/2021/230118.pdf?. Accessed on 23 April 2026.
Government of India. The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. New Delhi: Ministry of Law and Justice, 2021. Available at: https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2021/230119.pdf?. Accessed on 23 April 2026.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
