- sex selection

SEX SELECTION

What is in the best interests of women can get easily obfuscated when conservative social norms, medical technology, commercial interests and population control are thrown into the same cauldron. Such was the case with technologies such as amniocentesis and ultrasound, that were useful in monitoring fetal development and detecting congenital abnormalities but could also detect the sex of the foetus. This latter capability led to a flourishing industry where thousands of female foetuses were aborted, threatening to further skew the already adverse female to male sex ratio.

Amid a raging controversy on ‘women’s best interests’, we campaigned for a national legislation to regulate the use and misuse of these technologies which was finally passed in 1994. Today, the challenge lies in putting political will behind the bill and ensuring implementation of the law. But in the context of new reproductive technologies and surrogacy, etc, the challenges are on the rise.

ARTICLES

MORE TEETH TO THE PNDT ACT

Favourable Changes On The Anvil

Newsletter

THE BUSINESS OF SEX SELECTION

The Ultrasonography Boom

Newsletter Jan – Apr 2006

SEX SELECTION: TRYING TO TAME THE TIGER

Newsletter Jan – Apr 2003

LAW ON SEX DETERMINATION: AMENDMENTS & DEVELOPMENTS

Newsletter May – Aug 2002

LAW AGAINST SEX DETERMINATION

Souvenir 1995

SEX DETERMINATION AND CHILDBIRTH: CRITIQUE OF THE NEW BILL

Newsletter Jan 1995