The ethics of sex selection.

摘要

Sex selection is choosing or attempting to arrange the sex of one's offspring. Sex selection may take place before or after conception. It involves various methods such as abortion after ultrasound or amniocentesis, artificial insemination using a sorted sperm sample, selecting an embryo of the desired sex before implantation, and other methods, and new methods will likely be invented.;I utilize the method of reflective equilibrium and the concept of relational autonomy, and hold a strong commitment to women's autonomy and equality. Sex and gender, and their differences, are analyzed to clarify discussion of selecting for sex.;Sex selection currently takes place on a significant scale in India and China where sons are favored and significant abortion of female fetuses exists. I analyze whether sex selection is morally acceptable as it typically happens in the contexts of the United States, and as it typically occurs in the contexts of India and China. Contexts have a major bearing on analysis of sex selection. Sex selection is also examined more generally. The creation of private, easy, largely home based, user friendly sex selection methods focuses analysis of sex selection apart from abortion.;Reproductive freedom is consistent with women engaging in choice with respect to bearing children. If harms are not committed, and if sex selection is not necessarily sexist, and is safe, exercising of preference of sex, particularly for compositional family balancing rather than sequential goals, may be morally acceptable. However, sex selection can certainly involve sexism, cause harm, and may be morally wrong. Tensions between regulating sex selection and maintaining abortion access are explored. Although certain instances of sex selection may be morally wrong, abortion rights ought to be preserved. In India and China, seriously elevating the status of women and girls, and increasing their scope of control and power, is a positive step that will likely foster a reduction of the high demand for sex selection in favor of sons. Suggestions for elevating the status of women and girls are offered.