title: Sex selection: intergenerational justice or injustice?
abstract: Arguments surrounding the issue of sex selection focus on the potential, negative outcomes of permitting such choices. In this article, it is argued that--rather than being negative--sex selection (particularly for, but not confined to, family balancing reasons) can be a positive reflection of the reproductive liberties which have been won over the last century. It is accepted that this argument applies most clearly in cultures where there is no overt preference for one sex over another, but in those societies where this does not apply, it is equally unlikely that the concept of reproductive choice is valued. The article argues that permitting intending parents to choose the sex of their child--while likely to be a relatively rare event--is in line with the concept of intergenerational justice, in that it may serve not just the interests of intending parents but also those of the children to be born.
authors.affiliation: Law and Ethics in Medicine, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Sheila A M
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McLean
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D046269:Reproductive Rights / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012743:Sex Preselection