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Unnithan M, Dubuc S. Re-visioning evidence: Reflections on the recent controversy around gender selective abortion in the UK. Glob Public Health 2017; 13:742-753. [DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2017.1346694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maya Unnithan
- Global Studies, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, UK
| | - Sylvie Dubuc
- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Reading, Reading, UK
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Browne TK. How Sex Selection Undermines Reproductive Autonomy. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2017; 14:195-204. [PMID: 28299587 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-017-9783-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Non-medical sex selection is premised on the notion that the sexes are not interchangeable. Studies of individuals who undergo sex selection for non-medical reasons, or who have a preference for a son or daughter, show that they assume their child will conform to the stereotypical roles and norms associated with their sex. However, the evidence currently available has not succeeded in showing that the gender traits and inclinations sought are caused by a "male brain" or a "female brain". Therefore, as far as we know, there is no biological reason why parents cannot have the kind of parenting experience they seek with a child of any sex. Yet gender essentialism, a set of unfounded assumptions about the sexes which pervade society and underpin sexism, prevents parents from realising this freedom. In other words, unfounded assumptions about gender constrain not only a child's autonomy, but also the parent's. To date, reproductive autonomy in relation to sex selection has predominantly been regarded merely as the freedom to choose the sex of one's child. This paper points to at least two interpretations of reproductive autonomy and argues that sex selection, by being premised on gender essentialism and/or the social pressure on parents to ensure their children conform to gender norms, undermines reproductive autonomy on both accounts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Kayali Browne
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Education, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia.
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Children's Sex and the Happiness of Parents. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF POPULATION-REVUE EUROPEENNE DE DEMOGRAPHIE 2016; 32:403-420. [PMID: 27656012 PMCID: PMC5014898 DOI: 10.1007/s10680-016-9387-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Demographers are interested in sex preferences for children because they can skew sex ratios and influence population-level fertility, parenting behavior, and family outcomes. Based on parity progression ratios, in most European countries, there are no sex preferences for a first child, but a strong preference for mixed-sex children. We hypothesize that mixed-sex preferences also influence parental happiness. Parents' disappointment with a second child of the same sex as the first could have negative effects for parents and children. We use longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel and the British Household Panel Study to examine parental happiness by the children's sex and analyze whether these effects differ by parent's sex, age, nativity, and educational attainment. The results are only partially consistent with predictions from parity progression ratios. As expected, parental happiness does not depend on the sex of the first child. We find weak evidence suggesting that two boys decrease happiness, but the findings are not consistent across German and British data or across subpopulations. Moreover, two girls do not reduce happiness. Although sex preferences influence fertility, they appear to have little impact on happiness, perhaps because of unobserved positive factors associated with having same-sex children.
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Monson O, Donaghue N. “You Get the Baby You Need”: Negotiating the Use of Assisted Reproductive Technology for Social Sex Selection in Online Discussion Forums. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/14780887.2015.1008908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Leiter G. What Israeli policy can teach us about elective sex selection. Isr J Health Policy Res 2014; 3:42. [PMID: 25544884 PMCID: PMC4277833 DOI: 10.1186/2045-4015-3-42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PIGD for gender selection for non medical reasons has been a subject of ethical, legal, and moral debate in many Western countries. This article discusses the background of elective sex selection, and highlights the impact of new technological developments on this dynamic discussion. The article published by Pessach et al., in this Journal, is an excellent study of Israeli health policy on non medically indicated preimplantation genetic screening for sex selection. In Israel, elective sex selection is prohibited, but exceptions can be made by application, for family balancing, and emotional and religious reasons. This review of a health policy over seven years is concordant with evolving views in many Western countries. The classic medical model for allowing sex selection for serious medical disorders may be too restrictive. There are different reasons that may be assessed in light of ethical criteria including a wider delineation of medical reasons, which may include emotional and psychological well being of the family, indirect medical reasons, as well as risk reduction for the following generations. The Israeli model may be a useful approach with wide application to reproductive health policies in many countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gila Leiter
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY USA
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Dondorp W, De Wert G, Pennings G, Shenfield F, Devroey P, Tarlatzis B, Barri P, Diedrich K. ESHRE Task Force on ethics and Law 20: sex selection for non-medical reasons. Hum Reprod 2013; 28:1448-54. [PMID: 23578946 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/det109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This Task Force document revisits the debate about the ethics of sex selection for non-medical reasons in the light of relevant new technological developments. First, as a result of improvement of the Microsort® flow cytometry method, there is now a proven technique for preconception sex selection that can be combined both with IVF and IUI. Secondly, the scenario where new approaches that are currently being developed for preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) may lead to such screening becoming a routine part of all IVF treatment. In that scenario professionals will more often be confronted with parental requests for transfer of an embryo of a specific sex. Thirdly, the recent development of non-invasive prenatal testing based on cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma allows for easy and safe sex determination in the early stages of pregnancy. While stressing the new urgency that these developments give to the debate, the Task Force did not come to a unanimous position with regard to the acceptability of sex selection for non-medical reasons in the context of assisted reproduction. Whereas some think maintaining the current ban is the best approach, others are in favour of allowing sex selection for non-medical reasons under conditions that take account of societal concerns about the possible impact of the practice. By presenting these positions, the document reflects the different views about this issue that also exist in the field. Specific recommendations include the need for a wider delineation of accepted 'medical reasons' than in terms of avoiding a serious sex-linked disorder, and for a clarification of the legal position with regard to answering parental requests for 'additional sex selection' in the context of medically indicated preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or routine PGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Dondorp
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, Research Institutes CAPHRI and GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Ethical arguments for and against sperm sorting for non-medical sex selection: a review. Reprod Biomed Online 2012; 26:231-9. [PMID: 23337421 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2012.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Revised: 11/03/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Much has been written about the ethics of sex selection. This article thoroughly explores the ethical arguments put forth in the literature both for and against non-medical sex selection using sperm sorting. While most of these arguments come from philosophers, feminist scholars, social scientists and members of the healthcare community, they are often echoed in empirical studies that have explored community values. This review is timely because the first efficacious method for sex selection via sperm sorting, MicroSort, is currently in clinical trials and moving closer to FDA approval for marketing in the USA. While the clinical trials are currently focused on the use of MicroSort to avoid X-linked genetic diseases, MicroSort can also be used to satisfy parental preferences.
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Ethical dilemmas associated with genetic testing: which are most commonly seen and how are they managed? Genet Med 2012; 15:345-53. [DOI: 10.1038/gim.2012.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Al-Akour N, Khassawneh M, Zayed F, Khader Y. Characteristics of women visiting an infertility clinic and their interest in preimplantation sex selection in the north of Jordan. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2012; 165:271-4. [PMID: 23010572 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2012] [Revised: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the characteristics of women attending a fertility clinic for infertility treatment and to determine their interest in the use of preconception sex selection and its associated factors. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among women who presented to the fertility clinic in the IVF center for infertility treatment. A total of 335 women were included in the study and interviewed using the study questionnaire, which included information on patients' demographics, obstetric and infertility history, child gender preference, and interest in preconception sex selection. RESULTS A total of 155 (46.3%) women had primary infertility and 180 (53.7%) had secondary infertility. While preference for a boy was reported by 50 (14.9%) participants and preference for a girl was reported by seven (2.1%), the majority of women (83.0%) had no preference for gender. A total of 59 (17.6%) women showed an interest in using preconception sex selection. In the multivariate analysis, women who preferred a boy were more likely to be interested in preconception sex selection (OR=3.52) compared to women who had no preference for gender. Trying to conceive for ≥2 years was associated with an 80% increase in the odds of being interested in preconception sex selection. CONCLUSIONS The majority of women (83.0%) had no gender preference. Less than one fifth of women (17.6%) showed an interest in using assisted method for sex selection. Preference for a boy and trying to conceive for ≥2 years were significantly associated with increased odds of being interested in using preconception sex selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Al-Akour
- School of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
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Kippen R, Evans A, Gray E. Australian attitudes toward sex-selection technology. Fertil Steril 2010; 95:1824-6. [PMID: 21163475 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2010] [Revised: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Previous research based on analysis of fertility behavior and expressed preferences shows that many Australian parents want both a son and a daughter. However, most respondents to a representative survey of Australians did not approve of IVF or abortion for sex-selection purposes, and most did not think a hypothetical blue or pink pill to select sex of a child should be legal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Kippen
- School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Mills M, Begall K. Preferences for the sex-composition of children in Europe: a multilevel examination of its effect on progression to a third child. Population Studies 2010; 64:77-95. [PMID: 20391202 DOI: 10.1080/00324720903497081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Comparative research on the preferred sex of children in Western societies has generally focused on women only and ignored the role of gender equity and the need for children's economic support in old age. A multilevel analysis extends existing research by examining, for both men and women and across 24 European countries, the effect of the preferred sex-composition of offspring on whether parents have or intend to have a third child. Using the European Social Survey (2004/5), a multilevel (random coefficient) ordered logit regression of that intention (N = 3,323) and a binary logistic multilevel model of the transition to a third child (N = 6,502) demonstrate the presence of a mixed-sex preference. In countries with a high risk of poverty in old age, a preference for sons is found, particularly for men. In societies where there is lower gender equity, both men and women have a significant preference for boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Mills
- Department of Sociology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Caldas GH, Caldas E, Araújo ED, Bonetti TCS, Leal CB, Costa AM. Opinions concerning pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and sex selection among gynecologist-obstetricians in Brazil. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2009; 148:158-62. [PMID: 19926204 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2009] [Revised: 09/22/2009] [Accepted: 10/19/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess a sample of obstetrician-gynecologists on their technical knowledge of PGD as well as their views of PGD and sex selection (SS). STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional observational study, carried out during a Congress on Gynecology and Obstetrics. A self-report questionnaire was offered to all professionals registered to attend the Congress and answers of 723 physicians were analyzed. RESULTS Of the participants, 436 (60.3%) were female and 287 (39.7%) were male; 517 (71.5%) had children. Regarding knowledge of PGD techniques, 63.2% had heard something about PGD and/or preconception SS. Concerning SS, physicians believed that SS is always the couple's choice (36.4%), should be the couple's choice only in specific situations (42.6%), or did not agree that SS should be a couple's choice (17.4%). A majority of the respondents were in favor of PGD and believed that pre-embryos with 6-8 cells are human life in potency. CONCLUSIONS In spite of a small percentage of gynecologists-obstetricians in Brazil had knowledge of PGD techniques, many of them recognized it to be a method to prevent genetic diseases and agreed with its use. The SS appears to be highly accepted for use in specific situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- George H Caldas
- Medicine Center of Sergipe-Fertility Clinic, CEMISE-CLIFERT, Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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Colls P, Silver L, Olivera G, Weier J, Escudero T, Goodall N, Tomkin G, Munné S. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for gender selection in the USA. Reprod Biomed Online 2009; 19 Suppl 2:16-22. [DOI: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60273-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Kalfoglou A, Scott J, Hudson K. Attitudes about preconception sex selection: a focus group study with Americans. Hum Reprod 2008; 23:2731-6. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/den329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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