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

2. Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) "Appropriate Authority" means the Appropriate Authority appointed under section 17;

(b) " Board" means the Central Supervisory Board constituted under section 7;

(c) "Genetic Counseling Centre" means an institute, hospital, nursing home or any place, by whatever name called, which provides for genetic counseling to patients;

(d) "Genetic Clinic" means a clinic, institute, hospital, nursing home or any place, by whatever name called, which is used for conducting pre-natal diagnostic procedures;

(e) "Genetic Laboratory" means a laboratory and includes a place where facilities are provided for conducting analysis or tests of samples received from Genetic Clinic for pre-natal diagnostic test;

(f) "gynecologist" means a person who possesses a post-graduate qualification in gynecology and obstetrics;

(g) "medical geneticist" means a person who possesses a degree or diploma or certificate in medical genetics in the field of pre-natal diagnostic techniques or has experience of not less than two years in such field after obtaining-

(i) any one of the medical qualifications recognized under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956; or

(ii) a post-graduate degree in biological sciences;

(h) "pediatrician" means a person who possesses a post-graduate qualification in pediatrics;

(i) "pre-natal diagnostic procedures" means all gynecological or obstetrical or medical procedures such as ultrasonography foetoscopy, taking or removing samples of amniotic fluid, chorionic villi, blood or any tissue of a pregnant woman for being sent to a Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic for conducting pre-natal diagnostic test;

(j) "pre-natal diagnostic techniques" includes all pre-natal diagnostic procedures and pre-natal diagnostic tests;

(k) "pre-natal diagnostic test" means ultrasonography or any test or analysis of amniotic fluid, chorionic villi, blood or any tissue of a pregnant woman conducted to detect genetic or metabolic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities or congenital anomalies or haemoglobinopathies or sex-linked diseases;

(l) " prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(m) " registered medical practitioner" means a medical practitioner who possesses any recognized medical qualification as defined in clause (h) of section 2 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, and whose name has been entered in a State Medical Register;

(n) "regulations" means regulations framed by the Board under this Act.