Abortion Fears Resurface Following New Sex Determining Test

A new sex determining test capable of pointing out the sex of the child as early as eight weeks into a pregnancy has raised concern of a possible increase in abortion rates.

IntelliGender, which will be available in pharmacies from today, claims a 90 per cent accuracy rate in determining the gender of the baby.

Exercises, Massages and Relaxing Techniques for Pregnant Women
Pregnancy exercises are instrumental in carving a healthy pregnancy journey. Pregnancy massages can aid in relaxation and reduce discomfort.

However, doctors and the anti-abortion lobby fear the test, the first test of its kind in Australia, will be used as a means of sex selection and increase abortion rates.

Currently, there are no restrictions on the sale of pregnancy testing products in Australia.

The company behind the 95-dollar test, which has been sold in the US since 2006, says it takes 10 minutes and identifies a 'confidential element' found in the hormones of a woman pregnant with a girl.

Home Pregnancy Test - Principle - Advantages - Perform - FAQs
A home pregnancy test is a test done to find out if one is pregnant or not in the relative comforts of the home.

The element is found in very low levels in women pregnant with a boy or not pregnant at all.

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists president Dr Ted Weaver said there appeared to be no scientific evidence to back the test's claims.

Indian Court Upholds Ban on Pre-natal Sex Determination Test
In an order that would be welcomed by women rights activists, an Indian court has upheld the validity of PCPNDT, which bans medical tests to determine the gender of the foetus.

"We're all about women having choices, but we want the choices to be valid. The concern we would have is that people would then terminate pregnancies on the grounds of sex selection," the Daily Telegraph quoted Weaver as saying.

Australian Christian Lobby managing director Jim Wallace said the product should be banned.

"That we would allow a product that would allow eugenics to be practised and started in the home is just unbelievable," he said.

Source-ANI
SAV