Chapter: 3.1 Important provisions of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques

Important provisions of the Act

A] The Act provides that Genetic Counseling Centre, Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic which are registered under this Act, are only entitled to conduct or associate with, or help in, conducting activities relating Era natal diagnostic techniques.
B] The Act similarly provides that medical geneticist, gynecologist, pediatrician registered medical practitioner or any other person shall conduct or cause to be conducted or aid in conducting by himself or through any other person, any pre-natal diagnostic techniques only at a place registered under this Act.
C] The Pre-natal diagnostic techniques shall be conducted only for the following purposes of detection of any of the following abnormalities, namely:- (i) chromosomal abnormalities; (ii) genetic metabolic diseases; iii) haemoglobinopathies; five sex-linked genetic diseases; (v) congenital anomalies; (vi) any other abnormalities or diseases as may be specified by the Central Supervisory Board;
D] The Act categorically prohibits use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques including ultrasonography, for the purpose of determining the sex of a foetus.
E] All records, charts, forms, reports, consent letters and all other documents required to be maintained under this Act and the rules shall be made available for inspection to the Appropriate Authority or to any other person authorized by the Appropriate Authority in this behalf and be preserved for a period of two years or for such period as may be prescribed. However in case of any legal proceedings, such records are to be preserved till the final disposal of such proceedings.
F] The Act empowers the Appropriate Authority enter and search at all reasonable times with such assistance, if any, as such authority or officer considers necessary, such Genetic Counseling Centre, Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic and examine any record, register, document, book, pamphlet, advertisement or any other material object found therein and seize the same if such Authority or officer has reason to believe that it may furnish evidence of the commission of an offence punishable under this Act.