New rules aim to prevent prenatal sex tests
Print Edition
INDIVIDUALS and organizations that conduct inessential prenatal sex discernment or sex-selective abortions will be fined up to 30,000 yuan (US$4,600) under a revised regulation that took effect yesterday.
As well as the fines, the government will confiscate any income from such screenings or abortions, which are illegal in China.
Those who introduce expectant parents to take illegal prenatal sex discernment tests and selective abortions will also face the same punishment, according to the regulation.
The revision to the law aims to tackle China’s high gender imbalance, a direct result of prenatal sex discernment and sex-selective abortions driven by cultural preference for sons. The birth sex ratio last year was 113.5, much higher than a normal ratio between 103 and 107, though it has decreased from 121.2 in 2004.
In China, legitimate reasons for a hospital conducting a sex-selective abortion include serious genetic disease or deadly threat to the mother’s health. It requires at least three senior doctors to decide whether prenatal sex discernment is necessary. If an abortion is necessary, the hospital must report the case to the local health department.
Retail pharmacies are not allowed to sell abortion medicines.
Under the new rules, pharmaceutical firms will face a fine of between 10,000 and 30,000 yuan for selling ultrasound devices and devices for chromosome identification to unqualified institutions or individuals.
Advertisers will also be punished for publishing ads for illegal prenatal sex discernment and selective abortion services.
Prevention of illegal prenatal sex discernment and selective abortions will be considered in family planning officials’ performance assessments.
The government has invited the public to report violations and promised rewards for doing so.
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