Now this is a unique problem. In some areas, there are more boys being born than girls. For instance, as reported by the LA Times, the ratio in certain rural Chinese provinces is 130 boys to 100 girls and 125 to 100 in India. Of course, these two nations are not the only two faced with this dilemma.
Why is this happening? Basically, people who want a male child submit themselves to what is called high-tech sex-selection or sex-selection abortion. The Center for Genetics and Society defined sex-selection as “the use of technologies to choose the sex of a future child, usually in conjunction with in-vitro fertilization (IVF),” and sex-selective abortion or infanticide as the practice of aborting a fetus after using a “prenatal diagnosis to detect sex,” so thereafter “a person could choose not to have a child based on the sex of the fetus and opt for an abortion.” Reasons can be traced back to religious, cultural and even linguist influences. Due to these influences, many put heavy emphasis on having a male child. And even though many countries do have laws against sex-selection abortions, it is still practiced and not enforced.
Other than the fact that the practice of sex-selection produces too many boys than girls, are there other issues that may stem from a couple making this choice? The same article in the LA times quoted a researcher from the University College of London Centre for International Health and Development who said that if such an imbalance continues, it could clearly cause and increase “crime and psychological problems.”
But what about now? How is sex-selection viewed by governmental authorities in various countries in general? Many countries feel that if specific circumstances exist – to avoid medical issues that are sex-linked – then parents may have the option of using technology to determine the sex of their child. Additionally, these same countries have indicated that doing so for any other reason is unethical and unlawful. In fact, The Center for Genetics and Society went a little further and stated that sex selection is geared toward the parent’s wants and desires. It does not focus on the best interests of the child.
Sources:
LA Times
In China, India, Sex Selection Means There are too Many Males
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/14/news/la-heb-sex-selection-20110314
The Center for Genetics and Society
Sex Selection Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article.php?id=3516
Reviewed June 10, 2011
Edited by Alison Stanton
Dita Faulkner is a true Southern girl and invites all to check out her blog at:
http://dita40.wordpress.com/