Question- Give a brief introduction to the Prohibition of Sex Selection Act 1994.

Answer -

Short Title, Extent and Commencement

1. The abbreviation of this Act is Pre-Conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.

2. It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
   Genetics clinic means “any clinic, institution, hospital, nursing home or any place, by whatever name called, used to perform antenatal diagnostic procedures.”

[Explanation — For the purposes of this clause, a genetics clinic shall include any vehicle equipped with an ultrasound machine or an imaging machine or a scanner or such other equipment capable of conceiving the sex of the foetus or any transportable equipment capable of conceiving the sex of the foetus. It is used for sex determination during pregnancy or for sex selection before conception.]

Many actions have been declared illegal by this act. Which includes :
Prenatal diagnostics procedure includes all gynaecological or obstetric or medical procedures such as ultrasound writing, embryology, sex selection before or after pregnancy, any analysis or prenatal diagnostic test of any kind. To take or remove a sample of any man or woman, uveal fluid, choroid septum, embryo, blood or any other tissue or liquid for sending to a genetics laboratory or genetics clinic.

On and from the commencement of this Act :

1. No genetics counselling centre, genetics laboratory or genetics clinic shall, unless registered under this Act, undertake any activity relating to prenatal diagnostic techniques or be associated in the carrying on of such activities or will not be helpful.

2. No genetics counselling centre or genetics laboratory or genetics clinic shall employ or cause to be employed or take the services of any person who does not possess such qualifications as may be prescribed, complimentary or on payment.

3. A. Prohibition on sex selection– Any person, including any expert or team of experts in the field of sterility, on any woman or any man or both or any tissue, embryo, womb product taken from either of them or from both shall not self-select or cause any other person to do sex selection on Liquid or Gamet or assist in doing so or seek assistance from any other person.

4. B. Prohibition on the sale of ultrasonic machines to persons, laboratories, clinics, etc. not registered under the Act. — No person shall be permitted to enter any genetic counselling centre, genetic laboratory, genetics clinic or any other person under the Act. Not registered under this Act, sell ultrasound machines, imaging machines or scanners or any other equipment capable of detecting the sex of a foetus.

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