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Gender selection: cultural and religious perspectives.
1Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
|November 1, 2002
Summary
Preconceptual sex selection is advancing with reliable methods like PGD and sperm sorting. Religious views vary, with Jewish and Islamic law permitting it, while Christianity forbids it, even for medical reasons.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Genetics
- Bioethics
Background:
- Preconceptual sex selection involves choosing the sex of a child before conception.
- Cultural and religious perspectives significantly influence the acceptance of sex selection technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current developments in preconceptual sex selection.
- To discuss the cultural and religious viewpoints surrounding these scientific advancements.
Main Methods:
- Survey of major religious publications (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) on gender selection.
- Evaluation of in vivo and in vitro methods for preconceptual sex selection.
- Analysis of sperm separation techniques (flow cytometry) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
Main Results:
- In vivo methods show no significant impact on the sex ratio.
- In vitro sperm separation and PGD offer reliable sex selection but are invasive and currently used for medical indications.
- Advancements in flow cytometry may enable non-invasive sex selection for artificial insemination in the future.
Conclusions:
- Jewish law mandates procreation, potentially supporting non-medical sex selection.
- Christianity, particularly the Catholic Church, forbids gender preselection, even for medical reasons.
- Islamic law permits fetal sex selection on an individual basis to fulfill parental desires.