Definitions - Section 2

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) "Appropriate Authority" means the Appropriate Authority appointed under section 17;

(b) "Board" means the Central Supervisory Board constituted under section 7;

1[(ba) "conceptus" means any product of conception at any stage of development from fertilisation until birth including extra embryonic membranes as well as the embryo or foetus;

(bb) "embryo" means a developing human organism after fertilisation till the end of eight weeks (fifty-six days);

(bc) "foetus" means a human organism during the period of its development beginning on the fifty-seventh day following fertilisation or creation (excluding any time in which its development has been suspended) and ending at the birth;]

(c) "Genetic Counselling Centre" means an institute, hospital, nursing home or any place, by whatever name called, which provides for genetic counselling to patients;

(d) "Genetic Clinic" means a clinic, institute, hospital, nursing home or any place, by whatever name called, which is used for conducting pre-natal diagnostic procedures.

1[Explanation .-For the purposes of this clause, "Genetic Clinic" includes a vehicle, where ultrasound machine or imaging machine or scanner or other equipment capable of determining sex of the foetus or a portable equipment which has the potential for detection of sex during pregnancy or selection of sex before conception, is used;]

(e) "Genetic Laboratory" means a laboratory and includes a place where facilities are provided for conducting analysis or tests of samples received from Genetic Clinic for pre-natal diagnostic test.

2[Explanation .-For the purposes of this clause, "Genetic Laboratory" includes a place where ultrasound machine or imaging machine or scanner or other equipment capable of determining sex of the foetus or a portable equipment which has the potential for detection of sex during pregnancy or selection of sex before conception, is used;]

(f) gynecologist means a person who possesses a post-graduate qualification in gynecology and obstetrics;

3[(g) "medical geneticist" includes a person who possesses a degree or diploma in genetic science in the fields of sex selection and pre-natal diagnostic techniques or has experience of not less than two years in any of these fields after obtaining-

(i) any one of the medical qualifications recognised under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956); or

(ii) a post-graduate degree in biological sciences;]

(h) "paediatrician" means a person who possesses a post-graduate qualification in paediatrics;

3[(i) "pre-natal diagnostic procedures" means all gynae........