Clinic to select baby's sex opens
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.TWO doctors have opened Britain's first clinic which allows parents to choose the sex of their baby.
Using a technique of sperm separation developed in the United States, Dr Alan Rose and Dr Peter Liu are offering married couples who already have children an improved chance of having a baby of their chosen sex.
Carmel Turner, spokeswoman for the British Medical Association, said people should only be able to choose the sex for medical reasons. 'We think it's the thin end of the wedge. It could be used by people who want a child for religious or cultural reasons.'
The General Medical Council said gender selection was a question for society to decide, rather than for legislation. 'We will be keeping a close eye on developments and if there is a complaint we will take action,' a spokeswoman said. Last year, Dr Ravi Gupta from Walthamstow, east London, attempted to open a gender clinic, but claims he was prevented from doing so by the GMC.
Artificial insemination clinics in Britain normally come under the jurisdiction of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. But because the London Gender Clinic will not be storing sperm, it has no need for a licence.
However, Hugh Whittall of the HFEA said: 'We will be raising the question of gender selection for debate. We feel this can only be strengthening prejudice about the value of gender. It's a religious argument - you should not interfere with the divine.'
The technique, developed by the American scientist Dr Ron Ericsson, involves filtering fresh sperm through an albumen solution. The male sperm, which swim faster, reach the bottom of the solution first. The woman is then artificially inseminated with the sperm of the desired sex.
Tests have shown that the treatment has a 75 per cent success rate in producing boys and a 70 per cent success rate for girls. There are about 50 clinics using the technique in the US, but this is the first to be opened in Europe.
Dr Liu said that the clinic was bound to be controversial: 'There will be people who disapprove and that's why we are so careful.' No childless couples are accepted for treatment, and all patients are counselled on the possibility of having a child of the 'wrong' sex before insemination.
Treatment, including counselling, at the London Gender Clinic costs pounds 650. Seven couples have already been accepted for treatment, and all but two want boys.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments