media release

DATE 10/12/08

Pink or Blue? Which one will I Choose?

It concerns me that In vitro fertilisation technology is now offering parents the option of choosing the sex of their child.

This is an example of science playing God.

“We have seen the consequences of gender selection in China. Their demographic problems are well documented and will inevitably cause problems in the future” said Senator Helen Polley.

“When I had my children I thanked God for his gift to me, I did not ask for more than a healthy baby because I know that a child is an incredible gift”.

“IVF is a costly and highly traumatic experience for couples. Most centres operate counselling services to help people deal with this extreme stress”.

“The emotional journey for IVF couples is profound and I am sure they consider themselves very lucky to have the opportunity to have a baby, of either sex”.

“The IVF process provides medical intervention in an otherwise natural process. Medical expertise and a caring approach will give parents the best possible chance to have a baby. IVF is not a shopping trip for the perfect gift, it is an opportunity to create a life that otherwise would not have been possible. We must draw the line as to how far we intervene and I believe giving couples the choice of the sex of their baby is crossing the line too far.”

“We don’t want to create a world like the movie Gattaca. We are heading along a very slippery slope if we continue down this path”.

Catholic Health Australia CEO Martin Laverty has joined Senator Polley in questioning the use of gender selection technology. He said “A human being from the moment of formation of the first cell is to be respected and treated as a person with an inviolable right to life. Catholic healthcare facilities do not engage in procedures to alter an embryo to enable gender selection.”

For additional comments, please do not hesitate to contact James Brown on (03) 6331 2599.