We all know about how in places like, oh, I don't know, China, people are so brainwashed to want sons that they routinely abort female fetuses, right? Well, in yet another twisted example of human nature's inherent screwed up-ness, it turns out that women in this country are paying tens of thousands of dollars to guarantee they'll give birth to a girl baby. Apparently prenatal gender selection is a multi-million -- yes, multi-million -- dollar industry right here in America. Um, how did this happen?
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) was originally developed to screen for genetic diseases. It's similar to in vitro fertilization; the difference is the removal and testing of one single cell before the embryo is implanted. The process runs couples about $18,000 a pop and approximately 4,000 to 6,000 procedures are performed annually. Because ... I have absolutely no idea.
I suppose, as a parent, I have no business wondering why a couple would go to such great lengths to choose their child's sex -- I have one daughter and one son, the "best of both worlds," I'm often told. (Another common refrain, "Oh, so now you can stop!") And I know I'm super-lucky.
But the real reason why I'm super-lucky has nothing to do with the gender of my kids, it has to do with the fact that they were both born healthy. I am blessed beyond words, but I have to believe I would feel equally charmed to have two healthy boys or two healthy girls.
I know a lot of you are probably rolling your eyes: Easy for her to say, she has one of each. But I just don't get why someone like the anonymous woman featured in Slate's article on this topic would spend "weeks in bed crying" after finding out she was pregnant with her 3rd boy or why she would spend over $40,000 to ultimately have a daughter. Even if she was "worth every penny" and "better than a new car or a kitchen reno." (Seriously, that's a quote.)
What do you think?
Would you spend thousands of dollars to choose your child's sex?
Image via peasap/Flickr
Ashley Is a Widow Who Stays Strong...
This Hot Dad Wants to Vacuum Your Rug
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
Comments 133
um- wow. I really think you should not be writing this article. As someone who has given birth to 4 boys I bawled for 2 days solid, completely inconsolable after finding out #4 was another boy. Of COURSE I was happy he was healthy and I love him, but that doesn't mean I feel the desire for a daughter any less, and it doesn't change the fact that that was my last pregnancy because it was so hard on my physically and mentally. If I had the money to do it I would have paid for a daughter absolutely. Until you have been in my shoes then you have no right to comment like that. Seriously, could you be more judgemental? Put a sock in it! And these comments agreeing that I shouldn't be a parent because I have a gender preference? Grow the %$&* up! Ugh.
I admit, I wanted a boy, badly. I was soooo happy to find out that's what we're having. I can't say I'd have "spent weeks in bed crying" if it'd been a girl. What does that say about them, when they'll discriminate against a FETUS for being the wrong gender? Do they love their boys less? I don't get it.