prenatal sex determination
For me, the underlying question is, why such a strong emphasis on male prenatal sex determination...
'Indian register' for pregnancies
By Sanjoy Majumder
BBC News, Delhi
An Indian minister has proposed that all pregnant women register with the government and seek its permission if they wish to undergo an abortion. Women and child development minister Renuka Chowdhury says the move is aimed at stopping the aborting of unwanted female foetuses.
Although prenatal sex determination and selective abortion are banned, far more boys than girls are born.
Critics warn that the new move could backfire and be misused. Ms Chowdhury also wants abortions to be permitted only in specific circumstances, although she did not spell out what these may be.
The minister says a register of pregnancies would allow the government to track them and crack down on the practice of foeticide which she says is widespread in parts of northern India.
Despite the ban on prenatal sex determination, the government has been unable to prevent the selective abortion of female foetuses and the practice of female infanticide.
According to the last national census, for every 1,000 boys, there are only 927 girls in India.
But critics say the new move is an infringement on personal freedom and could also be misused.
'Indian register' for pregnancies
By Sanjoy Majumder
BBC News, Delhi
An Indian minister has proposed that all pregnant women register with the government and seek its permission if they wish to undergo an abortion. Women and child development minister Renuka Chowdhury says the move is aimed at stopping the aborting of unwanted female foetuses.
Although prenatal sex determination and selective abortion are banned, far more boys than girls are born.
Critics warn that the new move could backfire and be misused. Ms Chowdhury also wants abortions to be permitted only in specific circumstances, although she did not spell out what these may be.
The minister says a register of pregnancies would allow the government to track them and crack down on the practice of foeticide which she says is widespread in parts of northern India.
Despite the ban on prenatal sex determination, the government has been unable to prevent the selective abortion of female foetuses and the practice of female infanticide.
According to the last national census, for every 1,000 boys, there are only 927 girls in India.
But critics say the new move is an infringement on personal freedom and could also be misused.
posted by sm at
08:02
2 Comments:
Hi there Scott,
I read an article a while back discussing the issue in India. Essentially that pregnancies were being terminated solely on the basis of the sex. Meaning, females were being aborted because they were females.
One university student said that the women on campus are so out numbered they don't feel comfortable staying on campus once their classes are over for the day.
The article seemed to suggest that India was shooting itself in the foot, there was a shortage of women and therefore tons of unmarried men (okay, I know that suggests something about the idea of marriage and the 'need' to get married) desperate to find a wife.
Very interesting story.
Hi Marisela,
Thanks for the message. I also found this type of gender selecting very disturbing.
sm
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