Gender Selection

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is the group that sets ethical standards for fertility clinics. Most clinics follow the recommendations of this agency. In 1999, the position of the ASRM was that choosing an embryo solely on the basis of the gender of the baby should be discouraged. However, in 2001, this position was reversed.

Dr. Norbert Gleicher, who chaired a group of several reproductive medicine centers in and around Chicago, had written to the ASRM asking for a clarification on their gender selection recommendations. After consulting with the

committee members, Mr. John Robertson, the chairman of ASRM ethics committee wrote a letter in response to Dr. Gleicher’s inquiry. His response shocked the reproductive medicine community. The letter indicated that choosing an embryo based on gender was acceptable when being offered to offer “gender variety” to couple who already had a child and wished to have a child of the opposite gender.

Some doctors and couples were excited to have this opportunity to choose the gender of unborn children. However, not every doctor was pleased. Some thought that this was the beginning of a trip down a very slippery slope. As technology became more proficient, would parents start rejecting embryos based on intelligence or looks? Would it lead to a generation of designed babies?

At the time the ASRM found the use of preimplantation genetic screening (also called PGD) ethically acceptable, the sperm sorting method for gender selection had already been given the ethical green light. For some, the acceptance of PGD meant a more reliable method was available to couples who wanted to choose the gender of their child. For others, there was a huge difference between two methods because in sperm sorting, only sperm cells are rejected, while in PGD, embryos remain unused.

As the science of reproductive medicine has grown, more people have access to gender selection than ever before. Although more widely accepted now, ethical considerations must still be made by every couple considering both natural and medicinally invasive gender selection techniques.

Evening Primrose oil (EPO) is often recommended for women who are trying to conceive a boy. The evening primrose is a flowering plant that grows mainly in the United States. It can also be found growing in Europe and other countries. The yellow flower blooms in the evening, hence the name.

Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an Omega-6 essential fatty acid. GLA is converted by the body into prostoglandin E1, which is a hormone-like substance that reduces inflammation. It also thins cervical mucus and helps the body produce more high-quality “egg-white” mucus. This mucus is more favorable to male sperm because it is easier for them to swim to the egg.

The oil is extracted from Evening Primrose seeds and put into capsules for easy consumption. Dosage for sex selection is usually 1500 to 3000mg per day. Most women suffer no side effects when they take the oil, but some experience mild stomach upset or a headache. However, reports show that it can cause uterine contractions or prevent implantation, so it is often recommended that it be taken only from menstruation through ovulation each cycle.

The effectiveness of evening primrose oil in gender selection has not been studied. Studies have shown that it helps with breast pain during the menstrual cycle, eczema and rheumatoid arthritis. However, there have not been any large, well-designed studies performed for any of these conditions. As with any supplement, you should make your doctor aware that you are using it so that medication interactions can be avoided.

There are only two scientifically reliable methods of choosing the gender of your child, PGD and sperm sorting. However, those methods do not involve the natural conception of a child. If you are trying to conceive a girl the old-fashioned way, these methods may be able to help you out. There are varying reports of their reliability.

1. Attempt conception from the end of your period until 3 days before your ovulate. This is based on the theory that male sperm only live 12-24 hours and female sperm live can live up to 3-4 days. (Shettles Method)

2. Use the missionary position. (Shettles Method)

3. Attempt conception in the 12 hours after ovulation. (O+12 Method, Whalen Method)

4. Take calcium and magnesium supplements for several months prior to conception.

5. Conceive in the afternoon or during a full moon.

6. Try to conceive your baby on an even numbered day.

7. Eat chocolate.

8. Use the Chinese conception chart to help you plan the conception date.

9. Put a pink ribbon under your pillow and a wooden spoon under your bed.

10. Take cranberry capsules for the week before you ovulate. This lowers the pH level in the reproductive tract, which harms male sperm.

Remember that no matter what anyone else tells you, unless you are planning to use PGD or MicroSort, there is no reliable way to insure that you will be able to select the gender of your child.