Has it really changed?

Came across this really interesting article (Though you may need a login for this. Sign up is free):
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/world/asia/10surrogate.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th

This article talks about how the cheap labour and the relatively easy labour laws in India makes it a lucrative option for another kind of outsourcing model...that of "reproductive outsourcing". There are companies in India who have successfully created a business out of surrogate motherhood. The clients are typically foreigners and couples who want to have children of their own.

We are all aware by now that most global business houses around the world are capitalizing on cheap labour in India and have outsourced their back end operations to India. Great advancements in communication and technology have been the drivers of this. Till even two years ago India was known as the land of outsourcing. But lately that has been changing. With the booming Asian economy and specially that of China and India, this has been changing. Large companies have been growing in India and adding processes in place to cater to the Indian clients. (And the fact that 4 of the top 10 richest people in the world are Indian is definitely a testimony for that). Therefore, India is no more just about outsourcing. (Though outsourcing has definitely been a contributing factor towards this). India is now looked upon as an IT hub and the Silicon Valley of the East. It is increasingly being known for its consultancy services and as a knowledge centre.

And here I am thinking that the mindset is changing and that people dont actually think that an average Indian leads a life like that of the 6-7 protaganists of "One Night at a Call Centre", while outsourcing is taking a whole new meaning in the country. These clinics pay for your travel et all. While I agree that its a good to connect two people who need each other (the couple wanting a baby and the surrogate mother needing the money), what I am only worried about is that with lack of strict labour law, the outsourcing model may actually end up ignoring the interests of the surrogate mothers. And will in turn lead to worse health issues.

While this is a good "business", its not one of the best businesses to be in. Its a painstaking long process and uses cheap labour to leverage on it, However, "reproductive outsourcing" can definitely make an interesting canvas for future fiction. Maybe we should get Oprah to talk about it ;)