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Arawn-ap-Hywel · May 5, 2007, 02:22 am

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Early baby sex test causes abortion fear

Early baby sex test causes abortion fear | Uk News | News | Telegraph

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A new kit that enables parents to discover the sex of their unborn baby at just six weeks provoked concern yesterday that it would lead to an increase in abortions.

The £189 "Pink or Blue" test, available over the internet, works by testing a drop of a pregnant woman's blood, which contains foetal DNA.

The company behind it, Surrey-based DNA Worldwide, part of the American group Consumer Genetics, says it is 98 per cent accurate.

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Michaela Aston, of the charity Life, said: "This test is very dangerous. It could lead to babies being aborted simply for being the 'wrong' sex."

Even by the most conservative estimates, sex-selective abortion in India has accounted for the termination of 10 million female foetuses over the past 20 years.

CoffeeSaint · May 5, 2007, 09:07 am

Honestly, if you find the termination of a pregnancy distasteful, I doubt killing a fetus for the sake of its gender is worse than killing it because the mother didn't want to be a mother. If you aren't particularly offended by abortion, why would abortion for this reason offend you?

As for whether it is a good idea for society, I think we can clearly see that it isn't -- and any society that intentionally skews its gender balance one way or the other is going to deal with the problem in about 20 years. We no longer live in a world where boys are necessary to grow the crops and girls all die in childbirth.

Arawn-ap-Hywel · May 6, 2007, 12:50 pm

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Quote by: CoffeeSaint

As for whether it is a good idea for society, I think we can clearly see that it isn't -- and any society that intentionally skews its gender balance one way or the other is going to deal with the problem in about 20 years. We no longer live in a world where boys are necessary to grow the crops and girls all die in childbirth.

Agreed this level of parental control would cause a severe inbalance often attributed to backward followers of allah.

Alive · May 6, 2007, 05:08 pm

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Quote by: CoffeeSaint

If you aren't particularly offended by abortion, why would abortion for this reason offend you?

For exactly the reason you say--it's bad for society. I don't think this will ever be a problem in the US, but in India and China it already is a big problem. Too many males is a bad thing.

Supposedly countries tend to go to war when their sex ratios are too male-slanted.

Fangrim · May 6, 2007, 08:12 pm

For gender-biased abortion to be banned or restricted, it would have to serve some state interest that outweighs the right of the mother to an abortion.

Personally, I don't know if society is particularly harmed by gender-biased abortion. Even if it is, abortion rights are supposedly fundamental, as they govern an individual's right to reproduction, so that would probably outweigh a state interest.

Also, it's not like anyone can use discrimination law or the Equal Protection clause in the case of the baby for being discriminated against due to gender. Their right to life isn't even recognized, so what's the chance the court will recognize their right to equal protection, or their falling under anti-discrimination law?

ZNFYRH · May 7, 2007, 10:10 am

CoffeeSaint

To add a cynically humorous aspect to your post...

Abortionists should be slightly relieved. Now there is a 50% chance that a baby would be saved.

May 5, 2007, 09:07 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
CoffeeSaint Moral Turnip Location: Oregon, US Posts: 2,283	Honestly, if you find the termination of a pregnancy distasteful, I doubt killing a fetus for the sake of its gender is worse than killing it because the mother didn't want to be a mother. If you aren't particularly offended by abortion, why would abortion for this reason offend you? As for whether it is a good idea for society, I think we can clearly see that it isn't -- and any society that intentionally skews its gender balance one way or the other is going to deal with the problem in about 20 years. We no longer live in a world where boys are necessary to grow the crops and girls all die in childbirth. "Would you like some pie, Dr. Stark?" "Science is my pie. Curiosity, my sweet tooth. Knowledge is my candy."

May 6, 2007, 08:12 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Fangrim Hot Lava Location: Houston, TX Posts: 927	For gender-biased abortion to be banned or restricted, it would have to serve some state interest that outweighs the right of the mother to an abortion. Personally, I don't know if society is particularly harmed by gender-biased abortion. Even if it is, abortion rights are supposedly fundamental, as they govern an individual's right to reproduction, so that would probably outweigh a state interest. Also, it's not like anyone can use discrimination law or the Equal Protection clause in the case of the baby for being discriminated against due to gender. Their right to life isn't even recognized, so what's the chance the court will recognize their right to equal protection, or their falling under anti-discrimination law?

May 7, 2007, 10:10 am	#6 (permalink) (top)
ZNFYRH Volcanic Erupter Posts: 4,375	CoffeeSaint To add a cynically humorous aspect to your post... Abortionists should be slightly relieved. Now there is a 50% chance that a baby would be saved.