The question (6 marks)
A registered sonography centre scans a woman in the fifth month of her pregnancy. The referral slip records no reason for the scan and the centre's register is incomplete. The sonologist says nothing to the woman, but telephones her husband afterwards and tells him, in his own words, to prepare for a wedding in the family. The pregnancy is terminated a week later. On a complaint, the centre says that no words identifying the sex were ever used and that the woman herself must in any case answer for the abortion. Answer, with reasons: (i) Has any offence been committed, and by whom? (ii) What is the effect of the incomplete register? (iii) Is the pregnant woman liable? (6 marks)
MU Module IV, pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques; pack ch. 04.
Plan your answer on paper before you look at the authorities — issue first, then the rule, then apply it to these facts.
It tests Unit 4 · Medico-Legal Issues of Law and Medicine.
Authorities you will need
- Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act 1994 as amended in 2003, ss. 3, 4(2), 4(3) with its proviso, 4(4), 5, 6, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28 and 29
- Section 17, Appropriate Authority and its Advisory Committee
- Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations 2002, professional misconduct
- National Medical Commission Act 2019, s. 30, disciplinary action after hearing
How an answer is marked
A full-marks answer names the issue in one line, states the rule with its section, cites the authority, applies it to these facts and concludes — in that order. The app's model answer for this question is written in exactly that shape, with a checklist to mark your own attempt against.