What is the purpose of the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act?

The correct option is: To prevent misuse of technology for selective abortions.

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Understanding the Act: The Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act (PNDT), which was later amended to the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, was enacted by the Parliament of India. The primary objective of this legislation is to regulate the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques, such as ultrasound scanning, amniocentesis, and chorionic villi sampling.

2. Addressing the Core Issue: Modern medical technologies allow for the determination of the sex of a fetus before birth. In societies with a strong cultural preference for male children, this technology was frequently misused to identify female fetuses and subsequently perform sex-selective abortions (female foeticide).

3. Preventing Misuse: To counter the declining child sex ratio and prevent the elimination of female fetuses, the Act prohibits sex selection before or after conception. It strictly regulates pre-natal diagnostic procedures, making it illegal to disclose the sex of the fetus to anyone. Therefore, the direct purpose of the Act is to prevent the misuse of diagnostic technologies for selective abortions.