Review of sex selection
Background
Following the passage of the HFE Act 1990 the HFEA were asked to provide guidelines to licensed clinics on whether sex selection should be offered as a treatment to patients.
The HFEA carried out a broad wide-ranging consultation in 1993 and a subsequent review of the policy in 2002 which gathered the views of all its stakeholders on the social, ethical, legal and practical issues surrounding sex selection.
1993 consultation
Consultation process
The 1993 consultation on sex selection asked whether it was right for people to use assisted reproductive techniques to choose the sex of their child and if so, for what reasons.
The consultation highlighted the two reasons for why a person might want to choose the sex of their child, either for:
- Medical reasons; whereby a family could avoid a sex linked hereditary condition by
- Social reasons, for family balancing or religious/cultural reasons.
Consultation outcomes
Following the recommendations derived from the consultation, the Authority took the decision not to license any sex testing of embryos for social reasons, but agreed that the HFEA would license PGD for sex selection on medical grounds.
The policy decision on sex selection was presented in the 5th edition of the HFEA Code of Practice.
2002 consultation
Consultation process
Since the 1993 consultation the variety and efficacy of medical techniques for sex selection has increased.
In view of these developments the Minister for Public Health asked the HFEA in 2002 to conduct a review of sex selection techniques, including their safety, reliability and arrangements for their regulation.
The review specially commissioned research on the scientific and technical issues, and social and ethical issues.
The consultation was informed by both qualitative research, gathered from discussion with members of the public on the complex issues surrounding sex selection, and quantitative research, which included a survey of a representative sample of the UK population.
Consultation outcomes
The findings from the consultation highlighted the widespread public opposition to sex selection for social reasons.
The consultation findings were reflected in the Authority’s 2002-03 decision which concluded that sex selection for non-medical reasons should not be permitted, whether through sperm sorting or embryo selection.
This reaffirmed the position adopted by the Authority in 1993.
Further information
Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended) the practice of sex selection for social reasons will become prohibited under primary legislation. The revised legislation will continue to allow for the use of sex selection for medical reasons.
This will come into force from October 2009.
Supporting documents
- Sex selection: options for regulation (294 Kb)
A report on the HFEA's 2002-03 review of sex selection including a discussion of legislative and regulatory options (includes Appendix A) - Sex selection: report summary (177 Kb)
- Appendix B (100 Kb)
Outcome of the 1993 consultation - open letter to the Under Secretary of State for Public Health - Appendix C (223.5 Kb)
Scientific and technical literature review - Appendix D (145 Kb)
- Social and ethical literature review Appendix E (200 Kb)
Qualitative research findings. Report of research conducted by Counterpoint (UK) Ltd - Appendix F (773.5 Kb)
Quantitative research findings. Report of research conducted by Market Opinion and Research International (MORI) - Appendix G (105 Kb)
Consultation co-ordinator's report - Appendix H (67 Kb)
Consultation complaints officer's report - Sex selection consultation 1993 (341 Kb)
- Sex selection: choice and responsibility in human reproduction consultation document (308 Kb)
Page last updated: 01 February 2012
