Read the passage and answer the following questions:
Successful implementation of various action plans to attain reproductive health requires strong infrastructural facilities, professional expertise and material support. These are essential to provide medical assistance and care to people in reproduction-related problems like pregnancy, delivery, STDs, abortions, contraception, menstrual problems, infertility, etc. Implementation of better techniques and new strategies from time to time are also required to provide more efficient care and assistance to people. Statutory ban on amniocentesis for sex-determination to legally check increasing menace of female foeticides, massive child immunisation, etc., are some programmes that merit mention in this connection. In aminocentesis some of the amniotic fluid of the developing foetus is taken to analyse the fetal cells and dissolved substances.
Why is there a statutory ban on amniocentesis in India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) – Used for prenatal sex determination.
The use of amniocentesis for prenatal sex determination purposes is illegal. The primary reason for restricting amniocentesis and similar prenatal diagnostic techniques is to prevent the practice of sex-selective abortions.
In many cultures, there is a preference for male children, leading to a skewed sex ratio and issues related to gender discrimination. This is banned to prevent the misuse of medical technologies for sex determination, thereby reducing instances of female feticide and preventing the imbalance in the male-female ratio.
Therefore, while amniocentesis itself is not banned in India, its use for prenatal sex determination is illegal to prevent gender-based selective abortions. The procedure remains available for detecting genetic disorders and other medical conditions with proper authorization and adherence to the law.