Amniocentesis for sex determination is banned in our country. Is this ban necessary ? Comment.

Yes. Amnicoentesis (alongwith sonography) is being misused to determine the sex of the foetus. Due to small family norm, along with religion and social practices, every family wants a male child. The female foetus is destroyed. This has resulted in decline in female population to less than 50 per 100 males in certain areas. Such an imbalance in sex ratio is bound to create social problems for the future generations. Therefore, the test has been banned.

Amniocentesis is a method for sex determination of the foetus. Due to ethical and spiritual reasons, in India female foetus is not accepted and foetus is destroyed by some families. So, sex – ratio has declined in India. In order to maintain sex – ratio and to prevent social problems in future generation, this test has been banned in India.

Since the amniocentesis is misused for female foeticide, the ban is necessary. But by banning this, its advantage of finding out any chromosomal disorders and / or metabolic disorders of the foetus is lost. So, it should be legalized with some strict conditions to avoid its misuse.