KILLING BABY GIRLS: What is AMNIOCENTESIS?

This scientific technique involves the removal of amniotic fluid. It is done by the help of a hypodermic needle from the amnion (the bag of water) surrounding the fetus in the uterus. After this, the foetal cells contained within the fluid are cultured. The cultured cells are then screened for karyotype and a restriction site pattern analysis of the DNA of the fetus.

This combination of amniocentesis with analysis of restriction enzyme fragments enables the scientists to do a thorough prenatal screening for genetic diseases like that of sickle cell anemia. This foetal screening allows a remedial plan to be enforced in the earliest possible stages.

At least thirty five genetic diseases have been detected in human beings by this technique. These include sickle cell anemia, beta-thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, duchenne muscular dystrophy, galactosemia, phenylketonuria, cystinuria, metachromatic leukodystrophy and classic hemophilia.

In the Third World countries, amniocentesis is illegally being used exclusively to know the sex of the fetus. This is being carried out in various sex clinics where the medicos charge a hefty amount to disclose the sex of the fetus. For example, in societies that are male dominated, having a male child is still considered to be an asset. So, selective abortions of girl fetuses is rampant. This has slowly resulted in a major imbalance in the sex ratio figures that predict that the girl child is at a big risk. The need of the hour is to strengthen the legal system so that amniocentesis may only be used for the benefit of humanity.