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Non-medical sex selection: ethical issues.
1Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BG, UK. StrangeHR1@cardiff.ac.uk
British Medical Bulletin
|February 11, 2010
Summary
Non-medical sex selection in the UK sparks ethical debate with few universal agreements. Key controversies involve potential harms and the extent of government regulation on reproductive autonomy.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Reproductive Technology Ethics
Background:
- Review of ethical issues in the UK's non-medical sex selection debate.
- Overview of sex selection technologies and UK legislation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To concisely review ethical issues in non-medical sex selection.
- To explain and compare arguments for and against the practice.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of existing ethics and policy documents on sex selection.
Main Results:
- Significant disagreement exists regarding potential harms and their moral significance.
- Controversy surrounds the legitimacy and extent of government limitations on reproductive autonomy.
Conclusions:
- Few areas of universal agreement in the sex selection debate.
- The international debate on non-medical sex selection warrants consideration.
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