BMA - Parents should not select child's gender for social reasons

Dr Michael Wilkes, chairman of the British Medical Association's ethics committee, said today that parents should not be allowed to select the gender of their children for "social reasons".

Responding to the Science and Technology Select Committee report on reproductive technology, Dr Wilkes said that the BMA accepted some, but not all, of the committee's recommendations. He said: "It is important that we retain a balance between the rights of people seeking treatment, the interests of the children born and the legitimate interests of society."

The BMA rejected the report's recommendation that the HFEA, which regulates fertility treatment and research in the UK, should have its regulatory and advisory functions separated. "The combined functions of the HFEA give the organisation more strength and enable it to make informed policy and licensing decisions."

He added: "Given the public concern about the use of embryos we believe that the licensing of embryo research should remain within the remit of the HFEA."