Campaigners condemn embryonic sex selection

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has condemned proposals to allow so-called 'sex selection', describing sex selection as 'a method of social control'. SPUC made its comments in its response to a consultation by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The main reasons for SPUC's opposition to sex selection are: + Sex selection is a method of social control, an unworthy motive for human parenting and for medicine. There is no moral 'right to choose' the sex of one's child or any other characteristic. Sex selection treats children as if they are commodities or lifestyle accessories. + Sex selection on medical grounds may in fact mean the killing of embryonic children with an unwanted sex-linked inherited condition. The killing of sick or disabled embryos is an ethically abhorrent eugenic practice which discriminates against those embryonic human beings, violates their fundamental human rights and sends a frightening message to disabled members of our supposedly caring society. + Allowing peri-conceptual sex selection may lead to an increasing demand for the abortion of unborn children of the 'unwanted' gender. SPUC's submission to the HFEA can be found on the SPUC website at www.spuc.org.uk or can be obtained from SPUC by calling +44 (0)20 7222 5845.