Recently, supermodel Bella Johnson stirred up conversations when she opened up about her fertility journey on her talk show, ‘Life Unfiltered.’ She revealed that she and her partner, Alex Martin, are expecting their first child, a boy, thanks to IVF. What caught many off guard was Bella’s admission that she was actively involved in choosing the gender of the embryo they transferred. This revelation sparked a wave of criticism from fans and critics alike regarding the ethics of gender selection.
To delve deeper into this topic, we reached out to reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Samira Lee from a prominent fertility clinic in Virginia. According to Dr. Lee, the clinic has traditionally steered clear of gender selection unless it’s necessary to avoid serious genetic disorders. “Choosing between male or female isn’t a medical necessity,” she emphasizes. The clinic’s primary focus is on ensuring the healthiest embryos are prioritized for successful pregnancies.
As technology advances, the potential for genetic testing has expanded significantly. Nowadays, we can analyze every chromosome of an embryo, including the sex chromosomes. “Not long ago, we could only examine a handful of chromosomes, but now we can assess all 23 pairs,” Dr. Lee explains.
At the clinic, they utilize preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) to help couples. If parents are known carriers of genetic disorders, PGD is recommended, where an embryologist extracts cells from the embryo for genetic testing. Only embryos that test negative for genetic disorders are selected for transfer. PGS, on the other hand, checks for chromosomal abnormalities that could lead to miscarriage or developmental issues.
Thanks to these advanced techniques, many couples have successfully navigated their fertility challenges, leading to the birth of healthy children. For those interested in learning more about how these procedures work, check out our other blog post on the subject here. If you’re considering at-home options, you might also want to explore this site for helpful resources.
In summary, the topic of gender selection in IVF raises significant ethical questions. While some may see it as a personal choice, others argue that it strays from the purpose of fertility treatments.