Foetal gender determination
A misuse of life-saving ultrasound equipment
Ultrasound technology is one of the most
versatile, life saving and valuable medical
diagnostic tools ever developed. It is capable
of imaging a wide variety of body parts and
systems, providing physicians with fast, life saving
information.
Ultrasound is particularly effective in developing
regions of the world where its portability and low cost are
important in helping to extend quality healthcare to
people everywhere.
The usage of ultrasound technology for applications
such as gender selection is both illegal and
reprehensible. Wipro GE lauds the measures taken by
the Indian Government to impose penal consequences
on such misuse of life saving ultrasound equipment.
When used appropriately by trained professionals,
ultrasound technology is a powerful medical asset,
and GE is resolute in ensuring its safe and proper use
around the world.
MINISTRY OF LAW,
JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS
(Legislative Department)
New Delhi, the 20th September, 1994/Bhadra 29,
1916 (Saka)
The following Act of Parliament received the assent of
the President on the 20th September, 1994, and is hereby
published for general information:-
THE PRE-NATAL DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
(REGULATION AND PREVENTION OF MISUSE)
ACT, 1994
No. 57 of 1994
[20th September, 1994]
An Act to provide for the regulation of the use
of pre-natal diagnostic techniques for the purpose
of detecting genetic or metabolic disorders of
chromosomal abnormalities or certain congenital
malformations or sex linked disorders and for the
prevention of the misuse of such techniques for the
purpose of pre-natal sex determination leading to
female foeticide, and for matters connected
therewith or incidental thereto.
Be it enacted by Parliament in the Forty-fifth Year of the
Republic of India as follows:.
"CHAPTER III
5.2 No person conducting pre-natal diagnostic
procedures shall communicate to the pregnant woman
concerned or her relatives the sex of the foetus by words,
signs or in any other manner.
6 On and from the commencement of this Act:
a. No Genetic Counselling Centre or Genetic
Laboratory or Genetic Clinic shall conduct or cause to be
conducted in its Centre, Laboratory or Clinic, pre-natal
diagnostic techniques including ultrasonography, for the
purpose of determining the sex of a foetus;
b. No person shall conduct or cause to be conducted any
pre-natal diagnostic techniques including
ultrasonography for the purpose of determining the sex
of a foetus."
(Illustrative extracts only)
SEX TEST OF FOETUS IS ILLEGAL
It is illegal to use pre-natal diagnostic techniques like
ultrasonography, amniocentesis etc. to determine and communicate
the sex of an unborn child (foetus), from 1st January, 1996.
Punishments are prescribed for violation of the law, the Pre-natal
Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act,1994.
Use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques is allowed only for detecting
certain abnormalities, subject to the fulfilment of specific conditions
mentioned in the Act.
Pre-natal diagnostic techniques can be conducted, and genetic
counselling can be offered only by genetic clinics, genetic laboratories
and genetic counselling centers registered under the Act.
Attention Doctors & Technicians
Please familiarise yourselves with the Act and Rules and get your facility
registered. For more information, please contact the Directorate of Family
Welfare of your State/U.T., or the Chief Medical Officer of the district.
Issued for public information by:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Department of Family Welfare
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi-110011
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