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Female foeticide. A danger to society.


 In the past in India, a strong preference for sons made unwanted female infants susceptible to infanticide at the hands of midwives. Today, amniocentesis, which allows identification of sex in utero, has led to abortion of unwanted female fetuses. The incidence of this practice is revealed by the presence of an adverse sex ratio in many states. Amniocentesis was developed to detect genetic abnormalities, and the process is associated with the risk of miscarriage, septicemia, misinterpretation of results, and maternal death. While pregnancy may be legally terminated in India up to 12 weeks' gestation, amniocentesis takes place at 16 weeks. It is difficult, if not impossible, however, to prove that parents are guilty of female feticide. In some states, parents who can not afford amniocentesis are continuing the practice of female infanticide. The Indian government should act immediately to control female feticide. Amniocentesis should take place only within government-run institutions, and the sex of the child should never be revealed to parents. A massive educational effort will be required to modify belief that it is only sons who can make necessary offerings after the death of a parent.
