Kerala High Court Permits Gamete Extraction for Critically Ill Husband

The Kerala High Court has granted interim relief to a woman by allowing the extraction and cryopreservation of her critically ill husband's gametes. This decision was made without the husband's consent due to his deteriorating health, bypassing the usual requirements under the Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Act.

The Kerala High Court has intervened in a unique case involving a critically ill man and his wife, granting permission for the extraction and cryopreservation of his gametes. This decision aimed to aid the childless couple in conceiving through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) despite the husband's inability to provide consent.

Justice V G Arun provided interim relief based on the wife's plea, citing her husband's critical medical condition, which was worsening daily. The court noted that acquiring his informed written consent was impossible under the circumstances.

In an order dated August 16, the court allowed the hospital to proceed with the extraction and preservation of the gametes. However, it emphasized that no further ART procedures should be undertaken without the court's express permission. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 9.

(With inputs from agencies.)