Pro & Con: Should in vitro fertilization be done for the sole purpose of nonmedical gender selection? (Opinion).

Yes

Society has been nervous about the concept of nonmedical gender selection for fear that it would create a gender imbalance through the favoring of one gender, among other reasons.

This is an understandable fear in parts of the world where male babies are prized and female babies are discriminated against. But in the United States there is absolutely no evidence that giving the public the option of gender selection would lead to a gender imbalance, In fact, most couples who seek this service are simply trying to achieve a gender balance for their family.

Last May, the ethics committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine released a report that expressed cautious support for the use of "preconception" gender selection.

Preconception gender selection, in this context, means sperm sorting--the separation of X and Y sperm--before artificial insemination.

The committee, however, did not address the use of "preimplantation" gender selection. This is gender selection through the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos created by in vitro fertilization (IVF).

In my opinion, it is illogical to make a distinction between preconception and preimplantation gender selection. Either the ASRM--and society in general--should reject gender selection as ethically unacceptable, or they should accept it, regardless of whether it is done before conception or before implantation. Gender selection either is or is not ethical!