Sex selection for medical and non-medical reasons

Selecting the sex of an embryo before transfer into the uterus is an individual choice. The increasing use of pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) led to an increase in the percentage of cycles in which embryo sex is knowable before transfer. Couples may seek sex selection for either medical or non-medical reasons.

Medical reasons

Sex selection for medical reasons is used to avoid the birth of a child with a severe genetic disorder. Medical indications include:

Non-medical reasons

Non-medical sex selection is used purposely to select embryos of a specific sex for personal or social reasons. In addition, some patients who elect to screen their embryos with PGT-A may not have anticipated that they would be faced with the possibility of selecting the sex of the embryo that is transferred – a choice that they had not intended on making and that they now must consider whether or not to exercise. The reasons for sex selection for non-medical reasons include:

Arguments supporting the use of sex selection for non-medical reasons

  • Patient autonomy and reproductive liberty.
  • Parents may believe reasonably that there are differences between the experience of rearing male and female offspring.

Arguments against the use of sex selection for non-medical reasons

  • Long-term medical risks of some procedures to offspring are unknown and that, therefore, it is unjustifiable to take any such risks for non-medical reasons.
  • Perpetuates sexism with risks of discrimination and perpetuation of gender injustice.
  • Might lead to slippery slope towards designer babies.
  • Failure to show appropriate respect for embryos.
  • May result in significant gender imbalances in the society.
  • May be psychologically harmful to children and disruptive of the parent-child relationship.
  • May be available only to those with the resources to pay for it.

How we can assist

Dr Antoine Abu Musa and Dr Nicolas Darazi, fertility consultants based in the Middle East, have established experience in dealing with couples seeking IVF treatment for sex selection for medical and non-medical reasons.  They work with an expert and supportive team of nurses, care coordinators and counsellors jointly providing tailored fertility care at licensed and state of the art Centres of Excellence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and USA.

All the consultations and nurse appointments are carried out conveniently online, the hormone medications are delivered to your preferred address, whereas the IVF cycle monitoring is arranged close to your home or work place. You are only required to visit the recommended Centre of Excellence for egg collection and embryo transfer.

To enquire and book a consultation with Dr Abu Musa or Dr Darazi please click here.

Antoine Abu Musa
Antoine Abu Musa
Nicolas Darazi
Nicolas Darazi

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