Share your thoughts on gender selection and the topic of family balancing in the in vetro fertilization process.
Rather than only giving your opinion on gender selection for family balancing, be sure to provide a reference to any medical journals and reputable texts on the topic. Your response will vary based on critical factors such as the region where you are attending medical school, and where you will practice medicine.
"IVF has always been a controversial practice, with it becoming more mainstream only in the past few years. The medical profession has found better ways to screen and perform genetic testing, making IVF a much more viable option for couples who wish to conceive but may not be able to do so in a traditional manner. I recently read an article in the AMA Journal of Ethics discussing how many European countries have banned the practice of elective sex selection; however, countries such as the US have no such ban. The topic of gender selection generates many different opinions when it comes to medical ethics and even social consequences. One strong argument against gender selection is that the practice potentially reinforces societal gender bias. Others are afraid that once gender selection is mainstream, we will not stop and will begin to select other non-health-related traits in embryos. We also do not know without a doubt that gender selection does not present potential harm to the offspring. In my professional opinion, I believe it's important to utilize the incredible things we can do with science while still respecting the natural order as much as possible. I would not take the risk at this time, nor would I recommend the practice to a patient undergoing IVF, seeking a viable and healthy outcome."
