Skip to main content
Log in

Like a Frog in Boiling Water: The Public, the HFEA and Sex Selection

  • Published:
Health Care Analysis Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper analyses the British Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's 2002 public consultation on sex selection, a consultation that was mainly concerned with sex selection for non-medical reasons. Based on a close reading of the consultation document and questionnaire it is argued that the consultation is biased towards certain outcomes and can most plausibly be construed as an attempt not to investigate but to influence public opinion.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Berkowitz, J.M., and Snyder, J.W. (1998) Racism and Sexism in Medically Assisted Conception. Bioethics 12(1), 25–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grice, H.P. (1989) Studies in the Way of Words. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hacking, I. (1999) The Social Construction of What? Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, (2002) Sex Selection: Choice and Responsibility in Human Reproduction. London: HFEA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Genetics Commission & Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. (2001) Outcome of Public Consultation on Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis. London: HFEA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khatamee, M.A., Leinberger-Sica, A., Matos, P., and Weseley, A.C. (1989) Sex Preselection in New York City: Who Chooses Which Sex and Why. International Journal of Fertility 34(5), 353–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, P., and Rose, G.A. (1995) Social Aspects of >800 Couples Coming Forward for Gender Selection of their Children. Human Reproduction 10(4), 968–971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marleau, J.D., and Saucier, J.F. (2002) Preference for a First-Born Boy in Western Societies. Journal of Biosocial Science 34(1), 13–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oviedo Convention of the Council of Europe (Convention for the protection of Human Rights and dignity of the human being with regard to the application of biology and medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine-ETS No.: 164)

  • Renteln, A.D. (1992) Sex Selection and Reproductive Freedom. Women's Studies International Forum 15(3), 405–426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, J.A. (2002) Sex Selection for GenderVariety by Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis.Fertility and Sterility 78(3), 463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roundtable: Sex Selection. (2002) Reproductive Health Matters 10(19), 184-197.

  • Swetkis, D., Gilroy, F.D., and Steinbacher, R. (2002) Firsborn Preference and Attitudes Toward Using Sex Selection Technology. The Journal of Genetic Psychology 163(2), 228–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, S.F., and Ho, L.C. (2001) Sex Selection in Practice Among Hong Kong Chinese. Social Science and Medicine 53, 393–397.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Søren Holm.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Holm, S. Like a Frog in Boiling Water: The Public, the HFEA and Sex Selection. Health Care Analysis 12, 27–39 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HCAN.0000026651.97696.7b

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HCAN.0000026651.97696.7b

Navigation