Abortion law and the unregulated business of female sex-selective abortions in India

Thomas, D. (2007) Abortion law and the unregulated business of female sex-selective abortions in India. Web Journal of Current Legal Issues, 5,

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Abstract

In 2005, the sex determination business in India was valued at over Rs. 5 billion. The pro-life/pro-choice frame of the contemporary debate on the current, upward trend in female sex-selective abortions overlooks this economic aspect. This paper examines the law regulating abortions and pre-natal sex-determination to reveal that the business of sex-selective abortions is unregulated. It specifically clarifies the process by which the law links the social demand for sons that require repeated female sex-selective abortions with the supply of reproductive services coherently (and not problematically) with the ongoing project of economic liberalisation. The analysis of the law in this paper does not provide a template for legal reform and is not a defence of rights. It sets out a conceptual framework to clarify the process by which the demand and supply continuum that underpins the market for reproductive services is sustained by repeated and frequent abortions, with unaccounted and disproportionate costs to maternal health.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Thomas, Dr Dania
Authors: Thomas, D.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Economics
Journal Name:Web Journal of Current Legal Issues
ISSN:1360-1326

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