Quick Government IVF choice not likely
(sz) Do not expect a speedy Government decision about whether parents of children conceived by invitro fertilisation should have the right to choose the sex of their babies, was the message from two University of Otago academics yesterday [June, 19th – ed.].
They were commenting on the Bioethics Council report Who Gets Born? released this week which will recommend to the Government that there is insufficient reason to ban the use of sex selection for social reasons such as balancing the sexes in a family.
Human Genome Research Project director Prof Mark Henaghan said IVF babies accounted for only about 3% of births and not all parents would want to choose the sex of their babies.
It appeared there was no clear evidence of the choice doing any harm.
People who saw the recommendation as part of a slippery slope should be mindful such a slope did not have to be “whistled” down.
It could be taken in cautious steps, with negotiation and debate along the way.
The good thing about the issue being raised was that it would be debated around the tea table and people would become more comfortable with the idea.
Biomedical ethics Professor Grant Gillett said he could not see the sex selection issue being accepted as policy. more…
From: »Otago Daily Times« (New Zealand)