Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Amendment Rules, 2003 - Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct      

In the said rules, after rule 17, the following rules shall be inserted, namely:-

 Code of Conduct to be observed by persons working at Genetic Counseling Centres, Genetic Laboratories, Genetic Clinics, Ultrasound Clinics. Imaging Centres etc.

 All persons including the owner, employee or any other persons associated with Genetic Counseling Centres, Genetic Laboratories, Genetic Clinics, Ultrasound Clinics, Imaging Centres registered under the Act/these Rules shall –

 (i)    not conduct or associate with, or help in carrying out detection or disclosure of sex of foetus in any manner;

(ii)   not employ or cause to be employed any person not possessing qualifications necessary for carrying out pre-natal diagnostic techniques/ procedures, techniques and tests including ultrasonography;

(iii)  not conduct or cause to be conducted or aid in conducting by himself or through any other person any techniques or procedure for selection of sex before or after conception or for detection of sex of foetus except for the purposes specified in sub-section (2) of section 4 of the Act;

(iv)   not conduct or cause to be conducted or aid in conducting by himself or through any other person any techniques or test or procedure under the Act at a place other than a place registered under the Act/these Rules;

(v)    ensure that no provision of the Act and these Rules are violated in any manner;

(vi)   ensure that the person, conducting any techniques, test or procedure leading to detection of sex of foetus for purposes not covered under section 4(2) of the Act or selection of sex before or after conception, is informed that such procedures lead to violation of the Act and these Rules which are punishable offences;

(vii)  help the law enforcing agencies in bring to book the violators of the provisions of the Act and these Rules;

(viii) display his/her name and designation prominently on the dress worn by him/her;

(ix)   write his/her name and designation in full under his/her signature;

(x)    on no account conduct or allow/cause to be conducted female foeticide;

(xi)   not commit any other act of professional misconduct. 

 Appeals. – 

 (1) Anybody aggrieved by the decision of the Appropriate Authority at sub-district level may appeal to the Appropriate Authority at district level within 30 days of the order of the sub-district level Appropriate Authority.

(2) Anybody aggrieved by the decision of the Appropriate Authority at district level may appeal to the Appropriate Authority at State/UT level within 30 days of the order of the District level Appropriate Authority.

(3) Each appeal shall be disposed of by the District Appropriate Authority or by the State/Union Territory Appropriate Authority, as the case may be, within 60 days of its receipt.

(4) If an appeal is not made within the time as prescribed under sub-rule (1), (2) or (3), the Appropriate Authority under that sub-rule may condone the delay in case he/she is satisfied that appellant was prevented for sufficient cause from making such appeal.”.

      In the said rules, Schedule I, Schedule II and Schedule III shall be omitted.

      In the said rules, for the words “Genetic Counselling Centre, Genetic Laboratory and Genetic Clinic”, the words “Genetic Counselling Centre, Genetic Laboratory, Genetic Clinic, Ultrasound Clinic and Imaging Centres” shall be substituted wherever they occur.

      In the said rules, for Form A, Form B, Form C, Form D, Form E, Form F, Form G, and Form H, the following forms shall be substituted respectively.