Aussies should have the right to ‘choose the sex' of their baby, IVF doctor says
An in vitro fertilisation doctor has argued Aussies should have the right to choose the sex of their child.
According to IVF specialist Daniel Potter, it was infantilising for medical professionals to not disclose embryo-related information, and the government should not be involved in such a personal decision.
'I don't really see what the harm is, and people that are obviously highly motivated to be parents, you know, pursuing what they see as life, liberty and happiness ... their version of happiness, not the government's version,' he said.
Currently, sex selective IVF is banned in Australia on ethical grounds.
The procedure is only allowed on medical grounds such as genetic disorders associated with gender.
It is estimated that hundreds of Australians travel overseas each year to gain access to the procedure, which is becoming increasingly more socially acceptable in Australia.
'I respect everybody's opinion, and I think that just because you disagree with something, doesn't mean other people shouldn't be able to do it,' Potter, who appeared on Sunrise on Thursday, said.
'I think it's almost treating them like children .... (to say) we have this information, but we are not going to disclose it to you, because we are concerned you will use this information to make a choice that we might not agree with.
'What right do they have to tell you what to do with your life?'
The demand for the service has doubled, according to Sunrise.
'The conversation here in Australia, I think, it's ripe to happen,' Potter said.
'I don't know, ask yourselves why, if someone here in Australia does in vitro fertilisation, they know the gender of the embryos, but they won't disclose it to them, and this is information that may or may not be important to that person or that couple.
'But it seems to me that it should be their information to make decisions about their life and what they feel makes them happy.'
'Mix of opinions'
Influencer Caitlin Bailey has sparked debate after travelling to the United States to access sex selective IVF.
She spent $45,000 on the procedure, which allowed her to conceive a girl.
The Melbourne-based single mother, due to give birth in August, already has two naturally conceived boys and a girl, aged between one and five.
'I have three children already. I have a girl and two boys. And I just had this longing and this desire to have another baby girl,' Bailey told Sunrise on Thursday.
'So, I looked into it, and I found a company called Gender Selection Australia and I went through them, and they linked me in with Dr Potter, and it kind of all went from there.'
Bailey said she has received a mix of feedback.
'To be honest, I have had overwhelmingly had positive feedback, but of course no two people are the same.
'Everyone is unique. Always no matter what you do is there will be positives and negatives and people who do and don't agree.
'There have been people who voiced their concerns, or they might not agree, but I just usually say that's my choice and my life and what you do in your life, as long as you are not hurting anyone, then you do you.'
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