sex preselection
For many years, mankind has wondered how to choose the sex of a child before its birth for which countless myths, folk remedies, and magic potions have been offered as a solution. None of these methods were based on scientific evidence. However, in recent years gender selection has been made possible through advances such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis using biopsy methods combined with in vitro fertilization and sperm separation using flow cytometry techniques (Reubinoff, 1996, p. 344). These methods can increase the likelihood of producing a child of the desired sex, although none can guarantee success. The fact that the procedure can be fairly simple and inexpensive may cause medical practices to notice an increase in the demand for the services. This will most likely bring about many ethical and moral dilemmas as is often accompanied by scientific progress in modern society. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a technique that can be used during in vitro fertilization to test embryos for genetic disorders as well as the sex by observing chromosome content. In this procedure, a woman uses fertility drugs so that she releases several eggs in one cycle. The eggs are taken from the mother, f
Reubinoff, B.E. and J.G. Schenker. "New Advances in Sex Selection." Fertility and Sterility 66.3 (Sep 1996) 343-50. Klotzko, Arlene J. "Special Delivery." New Scientist 10 Oct. 1998: 49. Reproductive technology is moving forward at an astonishing rate. Researchers are finishing up sex-selection devices that may be available over the counter within the next few years. Also, "scientists are now discussing germ-cell genetic engineering, another controversial new technique by which couples tinker with their own DNA to give birth to kids of a preferred height, physique, hair color, IQ, or even temperament (Schrof, 1998, p. 68)." If gene therapy lives up to its promise, parents will someday be able to go even further that weeding out undesirable traits and be able to insert genes that have been produced in a laboratory. The genes responsible for our physical and mental characteristics have not been identified yet. At the present time, the only traits that can be identified besides gender are about one dozen serious genetic diseases. This type of gene therapy is at least several years away (Lemonick, 1999, p. 64). Genetics & IVF Institute (1998). MicroSort Sperm Separation. Available http://www.givf.com/microsort.html.
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Approximate Word count = 1502
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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