Gender selection involves techniques aimed at influencing the sex of a child before conception or implantation. This article explores the methods available, their associated costs and success rates, the ethical considerations they raise, and the legal and health implications.
Understanding Gender Selection Methods
Natural methods, such as dietary changes or timing intercourse, lack scientific evidence. They do not reliably influence a baby’s sex.
One prominent method is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) or Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) used with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This process begins with IVF, where eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory to create embryos. A small number of cells are then biopsied from each embryo for genetic analysis to determine the presence of XX (female) or XY (male) chromosomes. Only embryos of the desired gender are then selected for transfer into the uterus.
Another method is sperm sorting, often based on flow cytometry. This technique separates X and Y chromosome-carrying sperm based on their differing DNA content, as X chromosomes are larger and contain more DNA than Y chromosomes. The sorted sperm, enriched for the desired sex, can then be used for artificial insemination or IVF. However, the MicroSort method, a well-known sperm sorting technique, is not approved by the FDA and is not available for clinical use in the United States.
Success Rates and Financial Investment
Success rates for gender selection vary considerably depending on the method employed. PGD/PGS combined with IVF offers a very high accuracy rate, often exceeding 99%, for identifying the desired gender of an embryo. However, the overall success rate for achieving a live birth through IVF depends on factors such as maternal age and embryo quality.
Sperm sorting techniques, where available, report success rates ranging from 70% to 90% for selecting the desired gender. For instance, the Ericsson method has shown success rates of about 80% for male selection and 70% for female selection. This method aims to increase the proportion of desired sperm rather than guarantee a specific outcome.
The financial investment for gender selection is substantial and typically not covered by insurance for non-medical reasons. A single IVF cycle, a prerequisite for PGD/PGS, can cost between $12,400 and over $30,000, including medications. PGD or PGS testing adds an additional cost, generally ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 per cycle. Since multiple IVF cycles might be necessary, the total financial outlay can increase significantly.
Ethical Perspectives
The practice of gender selection, particularly for non-medical reasons, involves various ethical considerations. Concerns include the potential for creating “designer babies” or fostering eugenics, where parents select for specific traits beyond sex. There are also worries about contributing to societal gender imbalances, especially in cultures with a strong preference for one sex. Critics also raise questions about the commodification of children, viewing them as products to be chosen rather than welcomed unconditionally.
Conversely, arguments in favor of gender selection often center on reproductive autonomy and parental choice. Proponents suggest individuals should have the liberty to make decisions about their family composition. “Family balancing” is a common reason cited, where parents with children of one sex desire a child of the opposite sex. However, no universal consensus exists on the ethical acceptability of non-medical gender selection.
Legal Landscape and Health Considerations
The legality of gender selection varies significantly across the globe. Many countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, India, China, and most European nations, prohibit or heavily restrict gender selection for non-medical reasons. However, it is generally permitted in the United States, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand. When performed for medical reasons, such as preventing the transmission of X-linked genetic diseases, gender selection is widely accepted and often explicitly allowed even where non-medical selection is banned.
Undergoing medical procedures for gender selection involves certain health considerations. For the mother, risks associated with IVF include Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), a reaction to fertility drugs, and potential complications during egg retrieval, such as bleeding or infection. IVF pregnancies can also carry an increased risk of multiple births if more than one embryo is transferred, which may lead to complications like premature labor and low birth weight. There is also a slightly heightened risk of conditions such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
For the offspring, health risks associated with the embryo biopsy procedure used in PGD/PGS are considered low, with studies indicating a minimal chance of damage to the embryo (less than 1%). While some research suggests a slight increased risk of certain birth defects associated with IVF, it is generally considered safe. Most studies indicate PGD/PGS does not lead to major ill effects on children’s health, though some have noted a tendency for slightly lower birth weight or earlier birth.