How Gender Selection is Done

Gender selection is not something new. It has been there from ancient times. They are different methods by which a couple can make sure that the baby born to them is of the sex they want. Two of these methods are sperm gender selection and PGD or pre-implantation genetic diagnosis.

Sperm gender selection is based on the weights of x-carrying sperm and the y-carrying sperm. The success rate of this method is around 70 to 75 percent for both sexes.

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis is the latest method used in gender selection. It is performed under controlled condition in the laboratory. The embryo has to be at the eight–cell stage. The outer membrane of the embryo is cut enabling the doctor to take one cell for analysis. The cell is checked to see if the Y chromosome is present. The doctor who performs this technique can guarantee around 99 % success rate. This method was originally developed to check if the baby has any genetic defects, but now a days couples use this method as a form of gender discrimination.

Gender selection is a very controversial topic. People seem to prefer boys over girls and this has led to abortion if the child is a girl. There is a strong belief that boy are better than girls. There is no scientific proof of this as girls are making progress in almost every field. The cost of bringing up a boy is increasing by the day. If this trend is not stopped soon and the normal gender balance restored, it would difficult for humans to survive.

Like the case in China where due to the one child policy have forced people to kill girl children. Now there are regions in China were there are plenty of boys, but not enough girls. In short these boys are finding it hard to get a bride.