ACTUALLY it's legal in the United States.... It's up to the clinic. I was offered this option previously and declined because I would be happy either way.
Gender Selection Procedures
Three types of treatments are available to help couples choose the sex of their child.
The Gradient Method
The gradient method is a sperm sorting procedure performed at many fertility clinics. Sperm is placed in a centrifuge and spun at high speeds. This process helps to separate the X-bearing sperm from the Y-bearing sperm. Because X-bearing sperm contains more genetic material, it weighs more, and thus falls to the bottom of the test tube during the spinning process. This allows sperm of a specific gender to be selected for use during IUI treatments. The gradient method has been criticized for providing less than desirable results. However, it’s price and simplicity attracts many couples.
Flow Cytometry (MicroSort)
Flow cytometry is also a sperm sorting procedure, and is performed under the brand name MicroSort. Flow cytometry uses a special fluorescent dye to identify X-bearing sperm. This dye binds to DNA material contained with sperm cells. Because X-bearing sperm contains more DNA than its Y-bearing counterparts, these sperm absorb more dye. This allows your reproductive endocrinologist to sort out the female sperm from the male sperm. Once the sperm has been sorted, it can be used in IUI or IVF procedures. Flow cytometry has a very high success rate, giving you a 60% to 70% of conceiving a child of your desired gender.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
PGD is the most effective method to use when it comes to gender selection. PGD is a highly complex procedure in which DNA from your embryos are analyzed in order to determine their sex. Embryos are created in a laboratory using sperm samples from the father and eggs retrieved from the mother. These embryos are allowed to divide for three days, after which one cell from each embryo is removed. These cells are then analyzed for DNA and genetic material in order to determine the sex of your embryos. Embryos of the desired sex are then implanted into your uterus. PGD is the most effective sex selection method, giving you a 99% chance of conceiving a child of the desired sex.
Ethical and Legal Concerns
Choosing gender selection is by no means an easy decision. There are many ethical and legal concerns surrounding the treatments, which can make it very difficult to decide on sex selection or to find clinics that provide these services. Many opponents of gender selection argue that the procedures are morally and ethically wrong. Some see gender selection as promoting sexual stereotypes and sexual discrimination. Others see it as the beginning of a slippery slope, possibly leading to procedures which could allow parents to choose the physical and psychological characteristics of their children.
If you are interested in sex selection, it is important that you first investigate the laws in your area. Sex selection is illegal in some countries, and in others it is only allowed for medical reasons. In the United States, there is no governing body that has ruled on sex selection procedures. Instead, it is up to fertility clinics to offer the procedures at their own discretion. However, these techniques are typically only performed to prevent genetic diseases or defects. Gender selection based on non-medical reasons is also illegal in Canada and Great Britain, however it is available in some countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
