In a new set of guidelines by WHO, as reported by the Huffington Post India, there will be a change in the definition of infertility. The announcement aims to benefit single men and women without medical issues, who want to be a parent and don’t already have children from any prior relationships. WHO declared that infertility should no longer be regarded as simply a medical condition but even make room for people unable to find sexual partners. These singles without medical issues and a sexual partner will be classified as disabled or infertile as well.

While the authors of the new global standards said the revised definition came from a noble thought, giving every individual “the right to reproduce” but this update has been met with mixed reactions by the Indian public, especially the use of thxe word ‘disabled’ and ‘infertile’ for singles without sexual partners but wanting children, seemed to perplex people on social media.

On the other hand, the new standard suggests that the inability to find a suitable sexual partner or the lack of sexual relationships which could lead to conception, can be considered an equal disability. Hence, this comes as a relief to those who really want to be parents but haven’t been able to find a suitable partner.

However, this move has also raised concerns among couples who are genuinely infertile and individuals with serious conditions that have applied for IVF treatment. With this in place, their applications could be pushed back because of single people without medical issues opting to have kids through the same method, which for many individuals is a last resort.

Reactions to WHO’s declaration

“Giving every individual a right to reproduce whether or not they have a partner, which includes, heterosexual single men and women, gay men and  women who want to have children is a positive step towards an equal society. While it is a positive change and does create equality for everyone. But concerns are that the younger generation may hang their boots easily, instead of looking for a partner and creating a family in the organic manner, they might just recklessly opt for IVF, which is by definition for medically infertile people, so there must be a careful evaluation of the applicants forms and reasons for opting for IVF treatment,” said Dr. Simmi Pahilani, a specialist at an infertility clinic in Pune.

Obstetrician and gynecologist, Abhijeet More felt that classifying single people who might perhaps be wheelchair bound in the same category with people who have merely not found sexual partners due to whatever reasons, is toying with the definition of ‘disabled’ and even ‘infertility.’ “While I understand that the move is towards giving every individual the right to have children, but it blurs lines between disabled people who have special needs with someone who is a regular person and just wants kids. Hence terminology like ‘infertile’ and ‘disabled’ must be deftly handled. That aside, this shall benefit the LGBT community and straight singles for sure,” he commented

Youngsters in the country regard this as a big and progressive move that aims at inclusion of all; “This could lead to a positive trend in the country if it comes to pass. It will benefit a lot of people who are not typically included, people who are single due to physical limitations and even people who do not want relationships or marriage but desire children,” shared Trisha Agarwal, a 20-year-old Humanities student.

The Future

This big shift in policy could fundamentally alter who should be included in the group that gets access to a particular kind of medical care--It sets an international legal standard by which all countries are bound. Although, given how the conservative state laws lay emphasis on marriage its future implementation in a country like India remains to be a subject of curiosity. While the country is still fighting for rights of the LGBT citizens, this could possibly make having kids easier for the LGBT community. Even the highly neglected differently-abled community that usually gets little to no representation in the media, laws and infrastructure of the country, could stand a chance to have children through artificial means, even outside of a relationship or wedlock.

Recommended reading; Homegrown has previously written on sex and disability bringing to light the societal norms and representation of the disabled in the country, and their sexuality that often gets neglected due to their condition.