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Sorting sperm with the Ericsson method
Since the sex of the baby is determined based on the type of sperm (X or Y) that fuses with the egg, it would be sufficient to identify those carrying the chromosomes desired by the parents. In theory, it is indeed possible to select “male” and “female” sperm through genetic techniques. X sperm have more DNA than Y sperm, so they are heavier than Y. They can therefore be easily sorted. It’s here Ericsson method, named after the scientist who discovered it. The sorting of spermatozoa is carried out either on cell sorters or on serum albumin gradient columns. The precision of this technique still leaves much to be desired. and more suitable for the selection of girls. In the United States, dozens of clinics specializing in assisted reproduction offer prenatal sexual selection from the sorting of sperm. The clinics thus obtain a sperm composed only of X sperm or Y sperm, and inject it into the woman’s uterus as part of artificial insemination.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to choose the sex of the child
Today, the only technique that is 100% reliable in choosing the sex of the baby is PGD (preimplantation diagnosis). This method is prohibited in Europe when there is no therapeutic aim.. This is the case when we select embryos for pure convenience (choice of the sex of the child). In France, PGD is strictly regulated by the bioethics law of 2011. It is reserved for parents at risk of transmitting a serious genetic disease to their child. In practice, the oocytes of the future mother who has undergone hormonal treatment are collected. Then we perform in vitro fertilization. After a few days of culture, one cell from each embryo thus obtained is examined. We then know whether the embryo is female or male and above all, if it is healthy. Finally, the disease-free embryos are implanted in the woman’s uterus. This method is very expensive and the rate of pregnancies obtained remains very low, around 15%.
We can easily understand that choosing the sex of the baby by this type of practice poses important ethical issues. In the United States and in other regions of the world, however, this question is not controversial. The genetic diagnosis of embryos carried out after IVF is authorized, regardless of the intentions of the future parents. It even became a juicy business. In California and Texas, clinics offer couples the option of choosing the sex of their child for around $ 25. Dr Steinberg, a pioneer in the field, is the head of the Fertility Institute, located in Los Angeles. Its establishment attracts Americans from all over the continent, but also Canadians. He even promises today to choose the color of his child’s eyes.
Choosing the sex of your baby: selective abortion
Another very questionable method:selective abortion. In theory, we can find out whether we are expecting a boy or a girl during the 2nd ultrasound, or around the 22nd week of pregnancy. But with the progress of genetics, we can now know the sex thanks to a maternal blood test taken from the 8th week of pregnancy. Because fetal DNA is present in small quantities in the bloodstream of the mother-to-be. In France, this technique is reserved only for expectant mothers likely to transmit a genetic disease.. What if these genetic tests were widely available? On the Internet, American sites offer to send a few drops of blood to find out the sex of your child. After that ? Do an abortion if the sex is not suitable?
Note that all these practices are prohibited in France, but authorized elsewhere, in particular in the United States, where the practice of “sexingIs very widespread. We even talk about “family balancing« to designate the fact of choosing the sex of the future baby upstream in order to maintain a boy-girl balance within the family.
Choosing the sex of the baby with a diet: Doctor Papa’s method
The Dr Papa method, also called the Papa diet, was discovered by Pr Stolkowski and made famous by Dr François Papa, gynecologist. It consists of favoring certain foods and limiting the consumption of other types of food to increase your chances of having a girl or a boy. It is based on the modification of vaginal secretions and the pH of the vagina. This method highlights success rates of around 80%, although scientific studies are lacking to attest to this result.
Calculating the ovulation date to have a boy or a girl
Work done by Dr Landrum Shettles has shown that Y sperm (which results in an XY, male embryo, since the egg is X) are faster than X (female) sperm. X sperm are slower, but they survive longer in the uterine cavity. Thus, the closer you have sex to ovulation, the more likely you are to have a boy. Conversely, the more you make love away from ovulation, about 3 to 4 days before the ovulation date, the more you increase your chances of having a girl.
In the same vein, there is the method of sexual positions. Since Y sperm are faster, sex with deep penetration would promote conception of a baby boy, while intercourse with shallow penetration would promote conception of a girl.