http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,564-1732540,00.html
August 17, 2005
Should couples be allowed to choose the sex of their children?
Under a radical overhaul of the fertility laws being considered by the Government couples could choose the sex of a baby to balance their families. Sex selection was outlawed except for medical reasons less than two years ago after a Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) consultation found 80 per cent public disapproval. Should the ban be lifted? Do parents have the right to play God? Send us your view using the form below
This justification of "balancing" families is pretty spurious. Either it's okay for parents to choose the sex of their children, or it's not. There is no ethical or logical distinction between wanting a girl because you've got three boys already, and wanting a girl full stop. This is nothing more than one of those New Labour third ways that strikes an irrational compromise in an attempt to please as many voters as possible. Sarah Przybylska, Chelmsford
It is amazing that laws allowing parents to physically manipulate their child should even be suggested, let alone passed. What does it say about the love of a parent to know that they would not have accepted you unquestioningly? We're not talking about the paint colour on a car or the fabric of the seats, but a human being, something inviolable. Gender selection will only be the beginning. There can be no doubt that those parents who are actually willing to do this to their children would be more than happy to go further and choose other physical characteristics, thus creating for themselves their own so-called perfect person. And what about those who are not "perfect"? How is it possible to prevent them from being treated as inferior? Name and address withheld
What do you all feel about this ?- I know it is a very emotive subject......
The above link even has an online voting system, for anyone who feels strongly enough.
August 17, 2005
Should couples be allowed to choose the sex of their children?
Under a radical overhaul of the fertility laws being considered by the Government couples could choose the sex of a baby to balance their families. Sex selection was outlawed except for medical reasons less than two years ago after a Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) consultation found 80 per cent public disapproval. Should the ban be lifted? Do parents have the right to play God? Send us your view using the form below
This justification of "balancing" families is pretty spurious. Either it's okay for parents to choose the sex of their children, or it's not. There is no ethical or logical distinction between wanting a girl because you've got three boys already, and wanting a girl full stop. This is nothing more than one of those New Labour third ways that strikes an irrational compromise in an attempt to please as many voters as possible. Sarah Przybylska, Chelmsford
It is amazing that laws allowing parents to physically manipulate their child should even be suggested, let alone passed. What does it say about the love of a parent to know that they would not have accepted you unquestioningly? We're not talking about the paint colour on a car or the fabric of the seats, but a human being, something inviolable. Gender selection will only be the beginning. There can be no doubt that those parents who are actually willing to do this to their children would be more than happy to go further and choose other physical characteristics, thus creating for themselves their own so-called perfect person. And what about those who are not "perfect"? How is it possible to prevent them from being treated as inferior? Name and address withheld
What do you all feel about this ?- I know it is a very emotive subject......
The above link even has an online voting system, for anyone who feels strongly enough.