Question
Biology Question on Sex Determination
The permissible use of the technique amniocentesis is for
detecting sex of the unborn foetus
artificial insemination
transfer of embryo into the uterus of a surrogate mother
detecting any genetic abnormality.
detecting any genetic abnormality.
Solution
Amniocentesis is withdrawal of a sample of the fluid (amniotic fluid) surrounding a foetus in the uterus by piercing the amniotic sac through the abdominal wall, under direct ultrasound guidance. As the amniotic fluid contains cells from the foetus, cell cultures enable chromosome patterns to be studied so that prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities can be made. Certain metabolic errors and other abnormalities, such as spina bifida, can also be diagnosed prenatally from analysis of the cells or of the fluid. As this technique also helps in detection of sex of the unborn foetus, it has been banned inorder to legally check increasing female foeticides.