Can Ivf choose gender

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a complex assisted reproductive technology (ART) that has changed the lives of so many couples who are experiencing fertility issues. One aspect of IVF that has garnered significant interest and ethical debate is gender selection. But let us explore various facets of IVF gender selection, including its cost, risks, pros and cons, and specific scenarios like twin pregnancies.

IVF does allow for gender selection through a technique called preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), specifically preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). During IVF, after the eggs are retrieved and fertilized with sperm, the resulting embryos are cultured for a few days. At this stage, a few cells are biopsied from each embryo and tested for genetic abnormalities and chromosomal information, including the sex chromosomes. This allows parents to choose embryos of a specific gender for implantation. PGD is commonly used for medical reasons, such as preventing sex-linked genetic disorders, but it can also be used for non-medical reasons, like family balancing in some countries.

However, the availability and ethical acceptance of gender selection via IVF vary by country and clinic. In many countries, including the United States, gender selection for non-medical reasons is permitted. In contrast, others strictly regulate or prohibit it to avoid ethical concerns like gender imbalance and discrimination. The cost of PGT, which includes gender selection, can add several thousand dollars to the overall cost of an IVF cycle, making it an expensive option. Unless you are receiving your fertility care at an affordable center like the MOM Fertility Clinic in Tehran. Ethical considerations also play a significant role, with debates surrounding the moral implications of selecting a child’s sex and the potential societal impacts.

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IVF Gender Selection

Before being inserted into the uterus, embryos of the desired sex are chosen by IVF gender selection. Preimplantation genetic testing, or PGT, is a commonly used procedure to do this. It involves genetically screening IVF-created embryos for a number of disorders, including sex chromosomes. The primary technique for choosing a gender is:

• Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): PGT examines embryos for genetic diseases and chromosomal abnormalities. During this procedure, a small number of cells from each embryo are biopsied and examined. Doctors can choose embryos of the desired gender for implantation by using the results, which disclose the genetic composition of the embryos, including their sex chromosomes.

IVF Gender Selection Cost

The cost of IVF gender selection varies depending on the clinic, location, and specific services required. Generally, the price includes:

1. IVF Procedure: The starting price for an IVF cycle varies from $12,000 to $15,000. But that’s only the price in the US and the UK. MOM Fertility Clinic offers IVF for around $3,500 without compromising the quality of care. The low cost is mainly due to Iran’s low-value currency.
2. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): PGT can add $3,000 to $7,000 to the overall cost. This includes the biopsy, genetic analysis, and consultation fees​.
3. Medications and Additional Procedures: The total cost may rise by several thousand dollars due to fertility drugs, monitoring, and any further procedures (frozen embryo transfer, for example).

IVF Gender Selection Risks

While IVF gender selection is generally safe, it carries certain risks, including:

1. Biopsy Risks: During PGT, the biopsy procedure involves removing cells from the embryo, which may harm or compromise the embryo’s survival. With today’s technology, these dangers are negligible still.
2. Misdiagnosis: There is a tiny chance that the sex of the embryo will be misdiagnosed due to faulty genetic analysis.
3. Emotional and Ethical Concerns: Parents may face moral and emotional challenges as a result of their child’s gender choice, especially when considering the social and cultural ramifications of their child’s sex choice.

IVF Gender Selection Pros and Cons

Gender selection through IVF has several advantages, such as balancing the family, preventing genetic problems associated with a particular sex, and meeting cultural and personal preferences. But it also comes with a lot of expenses, certain medical dangers, and serious ethical questions. To make an informed decision, couples thinking about this option should carefully assess the benefits and drawbacks and speak with medical and ethical experts.

Pros of IVF Gender Selection

1. Family Balancing: Balancing the family is one of the main benefits of IVF gender selection. By using this technology, couples who already have children of one gender but want to have a kid of the other gender can achieve their goal of having a harmonious family dynamic. For many families, this can bring them a feeling of closure and emotional fulfillment.
2. Prevention of Sex-Linked Genetic Disorders: In order to stop the spread of sex-linked genetic diseases that primarily affect men, including hemophilia or Duchenne muscular dystrophy, it may be necessary to use gender selection during IVF. Choosing embryos from the unaffected sex helps parents greatly lower their child’s chance of developing certain illnesses.
3. Personal and Cultural Preferences: Some cultures or personal circumstances strongly favor having a child of a specific gender. Gender selection in IVF can take these preferences into account, which may lessen pressure from family or society and increase the parents’ overall satisfaction with their reproductive decisions.
4. Enhanced Reproductive Planning: By selecting a child’s gender, a couple can take more control over their family structure and reproductive planning. Those with small families for personal, economic, or medical reasons may find this to be extremely helpful.

Cons of IVF Gender Selection

1. Ethical Concerns: The moral controversy surrounding in vitro fertilization (IVF) gender selection is one of the significant drawbacks. Numerous ethicists contend that deciding on a child’s gender for non-medical grounds can result in social injustice and gender inequality. There are worries that this technique can strengthen gender stereotypes and lead to moral conundrums regarding the worth of children depending on their sex.
2. Treatment Cost: The gender screening process raises the price of an already costly IVF procedure significantly. The cost of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), which is necessary for gender selection, can increase considerably, prohibiting many couples from obtaining it and thereby widening socioeconomic gaps in fertility treatment availability.
3. Medical Risks: While these are usually minimal, there is a chance that additional gender selection techniques, such as embryo biopsy during PGT, may harm the embryo. A tiny possibility exists that the embryo may sustain damage, which could have an impact on both its viability and the IVF cycle’s overall success rate.
4. Potential for Misuse: Gender selection may be abused for purposes other than medical ones, which could have a number of negative ethical and social repercussions. Discussions concerning the possible misuse of genetic selection technology frequently bring up concerns about “designer babies” and the commodification of human existence.

Can You Do IVF Just for Gender Selection?

Yes, it is technically possible to undergo IVF specifically for gender selection. However, this practice’s ethical considerations and regulations vary by country and clinic. In some countries, gender selection is only permitted for medical reasons, such as preventing sex-linked genetic disorders. In others, it may be available for non-medical reasons, often referred to as “family balancing.” Prospective parents should consult with fertility specialists and understand the legal and ethical implications of their location.

IVF Gender Selection Twins

Couples seeking to have twins of a specific gender can also use IVF with PGT. The process involves selecting and implanting two embryos of the desired gender:

1. Higher Success Rates: The probability of conceiving twins and of a successful pregnancy both rise with the implantation of two embryos.
2. Risks of Multiple Pregnancies: The risks associated with multiple pregnancies include low birth weight, premature birth, and an increased chance of medical issues for both the mother and the unborn child.

Final Words

IVF gender selection offers couples the ability to choose the sex of their child, providing benefits such as family balancing and the prevention of sex-linked genetic disorders. However, it also raises ethical concerns and involves significant costs and risks. Understanding the pros and cons, as well as the regulatory landscape, is crucial for couples considering this option. As reproductive technologies advance, ongoing dialogue about the ethical implications of such choices will be essential.

CarefulTrip helps you understand the pros and cons of IVF or any other fertility treatments and whether IVF can help you choose the gender of the child. Along with their free counseling, CarefulTrip enables you to set up the most affordable fertility care at the MOM Fertility Clinic. At the same time, they take care of the logistics of your trip to Tehran, as well as accommodate a place to stay, provide transportation, and provide personal translators. So, don’t hesitate to contact CarefulTrip today!

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