HC questions gender-determination test on foetus
Health
A High Court ruling today asked the government to explain in six weeks why the gender determination test of a foetus should not be declared illegal.
The court also asked the authorities to explain why they should not be directed to formulate a guideline in this regard.
The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Mustafizur Rahman came up with the ruling this morning, after the primary hearing on a writ petition filed by Advocate Israt Hasan.
The secretary and other officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have been made respondents to the ruling.
On December 1 last year, Advocate Israt Hasan served a legal notice on the secretaries of health ministy, women and children affairs ministry, and social welfare ministry.
According to the legal notice, they were asked to take steps to stop the gender-determination test at every public and private hospitals, diagnostic centres, clinics etc.
However, when they did not respond, the lawyer on January 26, filed the petition seeking an order from the High Court in this regard.
Talking to the Business Standard, Advocate Israt said, the gender determination test can adverse effect on the parents if the child's gender fails to satisfy their desire. Hence, such tests should not be done.
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