Question

What is the purpose of the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act?

• A. To prevent abortion due to poverty and ignorance.
• B. To give incentives to families to raise girl child.
• C. To prevent female infanticide.
• D. To prevent misuse of technology for selective abortions.

Hint:

For questions about specific laws or acts, pay close attention to the wording. The PNDT Act's focus is on regulating the *technique* to prevent its *misuse*. The broader social goals (like preventing infanticide) are the outcome, but the Act's direct target is the technology and its application.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The inquiry concerns the primary objective of the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act, 1994. The act's complete title, "Regulation and Prevention of Misuse," offers a significant clue.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

The PNDT Act was established due to the escalating issue of female foeticide in India, which contributed to a decline in the child sex ratio. Advanced medical technologies, such as ultrasound, intended for identifying fetal genetic abnormalities, were frequently misused solely to determine the fetus's sex. Identification of a female fetus often resulted in selective abortion. Consequently, the Act's direct aim is to regulate the application of these diagnostic techniques and prohibit their use for sex determination, thereby averting the misuse of technology for selective abortions. Although the overarching goal is to combat female infanticide (C) and elevate the status of the girl child, the Act's immediate legal purpose and mechanism is to cease the misuse of medical technology (D). Option (D) most accurately reflects the Act's function.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The PNDT Act's specific objective is to prevent the misuse of medical technology for sex determination, which leads to sex-selective abortions.