Re: A Boy for You, a Girl for Me: Technology Allows Choice

[Ken Olum <kdo cosmos phy tufts edu>]

I have no complaint about people spending their money on odd things
nor do I think there's anything immoral about the production of
embryos that will not be used.  They can always donate them to stem
cell research as we did.  But if people were not so sexist, these
things would not be necessary.  I just don't think that boys and girls
are so different that having had the experience of raising a girl one
would want to have the completely different experience of raising a
boy.  A more sensible idea would be "I already raised this child, and
if I have another that will be somewhat similar and somewhat
different."

   >washingtonpost.com
   >A Boy for You, a Girl for Me: Technology Allows Choice
   >Embryo Screening Stirs Ethics Debate
   >By Rob Stein
   >Washington Post Staff Writer
   >Tuesday, December 14, 2004; Page A01
   >
   >"My husband is a 'Junior' and has a family business that he wants to 
   >continue in the family name," said Kristen, 37, of Grafton, Mass.
   >

This is really beyond the pale.  On the one hand, you could spend $15K
and end up with twins when you already have 3 children and really only
wanted one more.  On the other, you could raise your daughter not to
change her name if she gets married.  Which would you choose?

   >"Consider the father who wants a boy in the hope of having as a son 
the 
   >athlete he had never been.

How about a daughter as the athlete her father never was?

   >"It's a good thing this is out there and available," Kristen said.
   >"..I'm sure having boys will be a different experience."

I'm sure it will too, if she insists on raising them completely
differently from the way she raised her daughters.

                                        Ken