Amniocentesis is a useful technique that can provide clues to any abnormality in the foetus. But this technique is being used for the wrong purpose in our country.
India is a country where a male child is most sought after and a female child is often given second class treatment. Many people resort to MTP when they discover that the unborn child is going to be a girl. This is termed as female foeticide. The girl child is killed while she is still in the womb. This is a cruel practice and is the root of many social evils in our country. The sex ratio is highly skewed throughout the country and is worse with such states; like Haryana and Punjab. Many boys grow with such a mindset that they have little respect for women. This malaise is evident in rising cases of rapes and dowry deaths. This trend can only be arrested if girls are given better chances of survival and career development. Hence, the statutory ban on amniocentesis is fully justifiable in our country. But we also need to change the mindset of the people to ensure equal treatment of girls.