Marcy Darnovsky on genetic gender selection

Most countries have a count of their residents regularly. And sometimes, the findings reveal trends that may be disturbing or controversial. For example, a study by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences revealed this week that over the next decade, there will be 24 million more men than women in China, because of the increase in the abortion of girl fetuses. Because of a traditional preference for males, many families in China are terminating pregnancies of girl babies. The same goes on in countries like India. And when citizens of these countries end up in the US, it turns out that oftentimes, these practices continue.

A report by Columbia University last year showed that immigrant Asian communities here in the US are opting for baby boys through technology- in the form of genetic gender selection, marketed to them by fertility clinics. One such clinic in Los Angeles claimed that 40 percent of its clients are Asian immigrant communities from here in the Bay Area, particularly Santa Clara County. But there’s almost a unanimous frown upon this practice by genetic scientists who say, the fertility industry is exploiting parents’ emotions and misusing the science.

One group that’s working to bring more awareness about it is the Center for Genetics and Society, in Berkeley. Hana Baba visited the Center and sat down with Associate Executive Director Marcy Darnovsky.