Avoid the Temptation for Blanket Ban
However, there is no doubt that the iron hands of law should come
down heavily on those who perpetuate this crime in order to arrest
the damage. But the law has to be sensible enough to accommodate the
sentiments of people who long for a baby boy and the social constraints
that these people face. If the law is not sensible, it would also
face the same fate as PNDT Act which is being religiously violated
both by the couples who want baby boys and also by the criminals under
the guise of medical doctors. Hence, it is suggested that the new
Act should prohibit the pre-conception sex-selection procedure for
the first baby and also for any further babies if the earlier babies
are boys. There should be provisions in the Act for severe punishments
to the parents who opt for this technology to completely avoid a baby
girl in the family. The punishments could be long imprisonment or
summary dismissal of the couple from their employment. In the case
of law against polygamy, the punishment with respect to dismissal
from a job is applicable only to the government servants. But in the
proposed Act to curb Pre-conception and Pre-natal elimination of baby
girls, even the Private sector should be bound by the Act to dismiss
a couple from their jobs for indulging in skewing the sex ratio of
the nation. The Act must clearly mention that punishments can be awarded
even after many years after the crime is committed.
If the law allows this procedure for a couple who already have a
baby girl, by opting for such a technology that particular couple
would not skew the sex ratio in the country (here the assumption is
that two children norm would be followed by all couples). Rather it
would avoid many abortions and there by women in this country would
become healthier than what they are today. Repeated abortions lead
to fits of unconsciousness and severe anxiety. Also, there must be
a room in the new Act, which should allow this technology to be resorted
to for avoiding genetic disorders in the progeny. The intention
behind this appeal is that the Act should not put a blanket ban on
the use of the technology instead the Act must also encourage the
good use of the technology. Unfortunately, when the media rightly
brings out the bad consequences of this technology, hardly any one
argues for the good use of this technology. Remember even the ultrasound
scan technology is used predominantly for checking any anomaly in
the growth of the foetus during pregnancy and to avoid the baby if
it is afflicted with any genetically inherited disastrous diseases
from the parents. It is unfortunate that this scan technology is widely
misused.
In stead of completely banning the technology, let us find a way
out to make the best use of it while prohibiting the misuse of the
technology. No doubt, constant watch of a regulatory authority is
needed to make the best sue of this technology. The government should
act fast and should not allow procedural delays to come in the way.
The readers may send in their views and suggestions to the Joint Secretary
(Policy) Department of Family Welfare, Union Health Ministry, Government
of India, New Delhi.