Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994

18. Registration of Genetic Counseling Centers, Genetic Laboratories or Genetic Clinics

(1) No person shall open any Genetic Counseling Centre, Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic after the commencement of this Act unless such Centre, Laboratory or Clinic is duly registered separately or jointly under this Act.

(2) Every application for registration under sub-section (1), shall be made to the Appropriate Authority in such form and in such manner and shall be accompanied by such fees as may be prescribed.

(3) Every Genetic Counseling Centre, Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic engaged, either partly or exclusively, in counseling or conducting pre-natal diagnostic techniques for any of the purposes mentioned in section 4, immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall apply for registration within sixty days from the date of such commencement.

(4) Subject to the provisions of section 6, every Genetic Counseling Centre, Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic engaged in counseling or conducting pre-natal diagnostic techniques shall cease to conduct any such counseling or technique on the expiry of six months from the date of commencement of this Act unless such Centre, Laboratory or Clinic has applied for registration and is so registered separately or jointly or till such application is disposed of, whichever is earlier.

(5) No Genetic Counseling Centre, Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic shall be registered under this Act unless the Appropriate Authority is satisfied that such Centre, Laboratory or Clinic is in a position to provide such facilities, maintain such equipment and standards as may be prescribed.