Saturday
If you are rich enough, you will be able to circumvent the prohibition and obtain the right to select the sex of your child. The Human Fertilisation and Embryological Authority bans the practice here, though their grounds are weak:
Britain’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority remains cautious, citing public opposition to sex selection. “In the US there is no official regulator to monitor clinics and no legal obligation to offer the counselling that is an important part of treatment,” a spokesman said. “Those who choose to go overseas for their treatment should make themselves aware of the laws and consider what impact there may be on any child that is subsequently born.”
Public opposition is cited, alongside a nannyish presumption of in loco parentis. Public opposition is not a sufficient reason for curbing reproductive freedoms and gives a veto to lobbies who invoke the 'yuck' factor. The HFEA model of regulation never succeeded and medical practices should be allowed, except in cases of safety.
If Parliament wishes to outlaw a reproductive technology,then let it do so: otherwise, the presumption of freedom should prevail.
“Those who choose to go overseas for their treatment should make themselves aware of the laws and consider what impact there may be on any child that is subsequently born.”Say what?
Posted by Alisa at August 22, 2009 11:43 AM
the presumption of freedom should prevail.
snigger
gmmph
gmmmph ha ha
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
wipes eyes,
Thank you, I needed a good laugh.
Posted by CountingCats at August 22, 2009 01:09 PM
I would have a lot of reservations about allowing unrestricted selection of the sex of children. While the idea is harmless on an individual level we should take note of what is occuring in places like China where there is a defacto sex-selection in operation through the aborting of females and/or murdering them after birth. That country is now short 10's of millions of women which is going to lead to some fairly predictable and fairly bad social consequences for at least the next couple of generations.
It wouldn't be all that difficult or intrusive to establish a register to monitor the sex choices being made and to later establish some limitations if there was a risk of creating a shortage of one sex or another.
Posted by Mr Black at August 23, 2009 07:27 AM
Quite so Mr. Black, we need to be even less free than China. For the greater good of course.
Posted by Perry de Havilland at August 23, 2009 08:20 AM
Alisa: Ever read the philip k. Dick story 'the pre-persons?'
Posted by wh00ps at August 23, 2009 12:28 PM
Good point, wh00ps. I haven't read the story, but I just read a brief summary. Personally I am largely undecided on that particular issue, and so the subject of Mr. Chaston's post is another angle from which to examine it.
Posted by Alisa at August 23, 2009 01:52 PM
Both in much of China and much of the subcontinent of India there seems to be desire to have boys at all costs. The locals will find away to kill off girls if they is a limitation on how many children they can bring into the world.
Which is a good reason not to have these limitations.
Still if the "we must have a boy" cult does win out in may finally break the low value placed on females in these societies.
Rarity value.
Posted by Paul Marks at August 28, 2009 03:25 PM
