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.