CHAPTER III
Regulation of pre-natal diagnostic techniques
Regulation
of pre-na-
tal dia-
gnostic
techniques.
4. On and from the commencement of this Act,–
(1) no place including a registered Genetic Counselling Centre or Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic shad be used or caused to be used by any person for conducting pre-natal diagnostic techniques except £or the purposes specified in clause (2) and after satisfying any of the conditions specified in clause (3);
(2) no pre-natal diagnostic techniques shall he conducted except for the purposes of detection of any of the folio wing abnormalities, namely:–
(i) chromosomal abnormalities;
(ii) genetic metabolic diseases;
(iii) haemoglobinopathies;
(iv) sex-linked genetic diseases;
(v) congenital anomalies;
(vi) any other abnormalities or diseases as may be specified by the Central Supervisory Board;
(3) no pre-natal diagnostic techniques shall be used or conducted unless the person qualified to do so is satisfied that any of the following conditions are fulfilled, namely:–
(i) age of the pregnant woman is above thirty-five years;
(ii) the pregnant woman has undergone of two or more spontaneous abortions or foetal loss;
(iii) the pregnant woman had been exposed to potentially teratogenic agents such as drugs, radiation, infection or chemicals;
(iv) the pregnant woman has a family history of mental retardation or physical deformities such as spasticity or any other genetic disease;
(v) any other condition as may be specified by the Central Supervisory Board;
(4) no person, being a relative or the husband of the pregnant woman shall seek or encourage the conduct of any pre-natal diagnostic techniques on her except for the purpose specified in clause (2).
Written
consent of
pregnant
woman and
prohibition
of commu-
nicating the
sex of
foetus.
5. (1) No person referred to in clause (2) of section 3 shall conduct the pre-natal diagnostic procedures unless–
(a) he has explained all known side and after effects of such procedures to the pregnant woman concerned;
(b) he has obtained in the prescribed form her written consent to undergo such procedures in the language which she understands; and
