The expectant mothers have the opportunity to discard ova or embryos of the undesired sex and, as always happens, these are mostly women (and couples) who want to have sons. One example among many is that of a 26-year-old woman, originally from Hong Kong, who arrived in the Thai capital with her husband to try for a second child: male. To be sure of the sex, the couple paid at least nine thousand dollars: “In Chinese tradition,” – he said, “having two children, a girl and a boy, is perfection.” He adds that “there is nothing wrong with daughters but because of tradition and custom in Hong Kong and China, families want boys.”
Church sources in Bangkok confirm that the practice is widespread and “for three or four years now, you can see billboards on the streets, along with ads on TV and newspapers.” It is a growing phenomenon, the sources continue, that “generates a remarkable turnover.”
The Thai Church “has never taken a position on the matter,” they add, “although there are in-depth discussions on the matter. This business involves the more affluent in society, while civil society thinks ‘live and let live’’ without posing any problems or ethical issues. This is why,” said the source, “the Church needs to make its voice clearly and loudly heard, because it is an issue that touches the deepest meaning of life.”
Moreover, Thailand is the only country in Asia where this particular technique of assisted procreation is still permitted, along with the United States and South Africa, where the cost is much higher. In Bangkok, dozens of clinics of varying professional competence, give future parents this type of “service” so as to “balance” the gender ratio within families.
In traditional IVF, the eggs are extracted from a woman, fertilized, and then placed back inside the womb for nine months of pregnancy; with sex selection, they are implanted – as is the case in the vast majority of cases – only those that will lead to the birth of a boy. The practice has been criticized by medical orders and ethical organizations around the world, but continues to attract potential clients from all over the continent for a turnover of more than $ 150 million a year. And the demand continues to grow, with an increase, on an annual basis, of approximately 20% and, consequently, a proliferation of centers (more or less recognized) to meet the need.
This Asian nation is, thus, increasingly becoming the preferred destination for Chinese couples who do not want to leave the sex of the unborn child to chance – and who are willing to pay sums up to 30 thousand dollars for a package of treatment that can last up to three weeks to achieve the desired result. An agent could sell up to 200 packages per year in China. The business is also getting interest and attention in Australia.
