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Amniocentesis and Its Statutory Ban
Due to small family norms and the skewed choice for a male child, female population is decreasing at an alarming rate. Amniocentesis is a prenatal technique used to detect any chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus and it is being often misused to determine the sex of the foetus. Once the sex of the foetus is known, there may be a chance of female foeticide. Hence, a statutory ban on amniocentesis is imposed.
It is used to detect any chromosomal defect in the embryo. However, recently amniocentesis is being used to detect the gender of the foetus which results in several female foeticides. This declines the gender ratio.
Therefore, there is a statutory ban on amniocentesis to avoid female foeticides. The amniotic fluid contains cells from foetus skin and respiratory tract. Sex of the foetus is determined using amniocentesis and then if it turns out to been a female one, foetus is aborted. That is why amniocentesis has been banned in India.
Yes, the ban is necessary because amniocentesis is misused now-a-days. It is used to determine the sex of the foetus and in many cases it led to female foeticide. In such extreme cases that would be incurable, adecision to abort the foetus could be taken.
Amniocentesis is a procedure in which amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus for testing or treatment. Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds and protects a baby during pregnancy. This fluid contains fetal cells and various proteins.