In 2004, the National Health and Medical Research Council (‘NHMRC’) banned sex selection on moral and social grounds, except in the case of a serious genetic condition. However, recent debates in Australia have led the NHMRC to consider the prospect of lifting the life ban. It is inherent in such a culturally diverse society that the public cannot reach one consensus. While some believe that sex selection is unethical for ‘moral’ purposes, others believe that it is an ethical means of hindering sexism in a paternalistic society (Sureau, 1999). Consequently, whether the ban on sex selection is acceptable or should be lifted remains a contentious topic, ultimately excluding a portion of society. This essay seeks to analyse the reasons why the
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This argument mainly focusses on the presumption that there would be a serious distortion on the numeric balance between the two sexes, especially in different regions where one sex is preferred over another for cultural purposes (Van Balen, 2004). It is argued that this is socially regressive and creates a further divide between men and women and essentially eradicates an equality that has been fought for throughout time. In particular, the Council of Europe Report (2011) on the PDG summarises the potential rise in criminality, social unrest and human rights violation, including violence and discrimination against women, which sex selection can cause. However, the World Health Organisation (2011) disagrees with this supposition, stating that preference for male offspring is ‘culturally embedded’ throughout society. Although this may be a cultural reality, sociologists argue that sex selection supports this ideology of the male being the stronger sex, as opposed to creating equality between the genders by not drawing negative distinctions between the two (Hickes and Strader, 2013). This argument places emphasis on the social consequences of an imbalance in power between the two sexes, where one sex is given the unprecedented power to unethically dominate the other, instead creating harmony and mutual respect between the two …show more content…
The purpose of this essay was to provide information about why the National Health and Medical Research Council banned sex selection in Australia. Proponents against sex selection argue that it is in effect like taking on the role of God and places an unwarranted power to one individual over another, without considering the psychological effects this can have on the child and the negative cultural implications this can have on society (Guilemoto, 2009). On the other hand, it is argued that sex selection is progressive and supports the notions of equality and freedom. Both arguments have their points, however, the reasons the NHMRC sought to ban sex selection in Australia centred on the immorality of the process. The NHMRC limited sex selection to circumstances where there is a serious genetic condition, under the notion that this could enhance a life, where as sex selection for personal desires creates an imbalance in society. Whether the NHRMC will chose to lift this ban in the future is an area of utmost controversy and requires deep-seated analysis of the arguments for an
This argument mainly focusses on the presumption that there would be a serious distortion on the numeric balance between the two sexes, especially in different regions where one sex is preferred over another for cultural purposes (Van Balen, 2004). It is argued that this is socially regressive and creates a further divide between men and women and essentially eradicates an equality that has been fought for throughout time. In particular, the Council of Europe Report (2011) on the PDG summarises the potential rise in criminality, social unrest and human rights violation, including violence and discrimination against women, which sex selection can cause. However, the World Health Organisation (2011) disagrees with this supposition, stating that preference for male offspring is ‘culturally embedded’ throughout society. Although this may be a cultural reality, sociologists argue that sex selection supports this ideology of the male being the stronger sex, as opposed to creating equality between the genders by not drawing negative distinctions between the two (Hickes and Strader, 2013). This argument places emphasis on the social consequences of an imbalance in power between the two sexes, where one sex is given the unprecedented power to unethically dominate the other, instead creating harmony and mutual respect between the two …show more content…
The purpose of this essay was to provide information about why the National Health and Medical Research Council banned sex selection in Australia. Proponents against sex selection argue that it is in effect like taking on the role of God and places an unwarranted power to one individual over another, without considering the psychological effects this can have on the child and the negative cultural implications this can have on society (Guilemoto, 2009). On the other hand, it is argued that sex selection is progressive and supports the notions of equality and freedom. Both arguments have their points, however, the reasons the NHMRC sought to ban sex selection in Australia centred on the immorality of the process. The NHMRC limited sex selection to circumstances where there is a serious genetic condition, under the notion that this could enhance a life, where as sex selection for personal desires creates an imbalance in society. Whether the NHRMC will chose to lift this ban in the future is an area of utmost controversy and requires deep-seated analysis of the arguments for an