Title: Demographic and cultural aspects of prenatal technology.

POPLINE Document Number: 281829

Author(s):

Karkal M

Source citation:

Bulletin of the Indian Federation of Medical Guilds, 1998 Jul;18(3):68-74.

Abstract:

The two issues in the field of fertility that have received widest publicity in the recent times in India are the rapidly growing number of clinics that are performing amniocentesis, which is followed by female foeticide and the birth of a test-tube baby in Bombay. The practice of female foeticide has generally sent shock waves even when it is getting a wider acceptance as indicated by the rapidly increasing number of medical practitioners who are participating in the services of amniocentesis though they do not have the sophisticated gadgetry for the chromosomal analysis. These doctors are located in far flung areas of the country covering several States and rural and urban populations. The expensive gadgetry that is required for chromosomal analysis is available in very limited number of laboratories located in metropolitan areas. The services of these laboratories are available to these doctors practicing in far-flung areas. They send the amniotic fluid obtained from their pregnant clients, to these laboratories for advising the women on the sex of their conceptions. Abortion services are available freely, all over the country under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act of 1971. So the women can easily avail of these services. Separating the stages of the services from amniocentesis to foeticide also has helped the doctors's protecting themselves from action of law because none of these in themselves are against law. (excerpt)

Keywords:

India
Critique
Pregnant Women
Antenatal Care
Amniocentesis
Infertility
Laboratory Procedures
Reproductive Technologies
Developing Countries
Asia, Southern
Asia
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Maternal Health Services
Maternal-Child Health Services
Primary Health Care
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Genetic Technics
Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses
Examinations and Diagnoses
Reproduction