The Indian Medical Association and the Medical Council of India have asked doctors to stop providing sex determination services and participating in selective abortion of female fetuses. The association has said that it will launch independent investigations against doctors suspected of being involved in such practices and will advise the council to revoke licences of errant doctors.

This is the first time since the Indian parliament outlawed antenatal sex determination five years ago that medical institutions are trying to step up pressure on doctors. Sex determination and selective abortion of female fetuses is widespread in India. Non-government organisations …