Reproductive Health

Reproductive health concerns linked to prenatal diagnosis are discussed in NCERT Class 12, Chapter 4 (Reproductive Health). Amniocentesis is a foetal diagnostic technique in which amniotic fluid is analysed to detect chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders in the developing foetus. However, because the same analysis reveals the sex of the foetus, it has been misused for sex determination leading to female foeticide, which is why it is legally banned for this purpose in India. The claim that it cannot detect genetic disorders is incorrect, since detecting such disorders is precisely its legitimate medical use. The statement that it always harms the foetus is wrong, because when performed properly for valid medical reasons it is a recognised diagnostic tool, not an inherently harmful one. Promoting its routine use in every pregnancy is incorrect and contrary to the law, which restricts rather than encourages it. A reasoning check confirms the answer: a valuable test is banned only for its harmful social misuse, namely sex determination and resulting female foeticide.