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Fertility ships may bring gender selection to a coast near you

Published Tuesday, September 20, 2005 8:35 AM

I didn't see this one coming.  To dodge the restrictive fertility regulations in Britian, a plan for a providing fertility treatments on a ship in international waters is underway.  Services could include sex selection, and use of donor sperm and eggs.  Because of changes in UK regulations, donor eggs and sperm are now in short supply, and couples needing them are driven to seek treatment in other countries, or resort to a "grey market" where the quality of eggs or sperm may be questionable.

Behind the plan for a floating fertility clinic is Ole Schou, director of the sperm bank Cryos in Denmark.  Although it may sound like a nemesis of James Bond, Cryos is actually a well-known and reputable international sperm bank, boasting 10,000 births in 40 countries from their donated sperm. 

The idea is to have ships staffed with professional people from the local country. UK doctors would be employed and take care of UK patients. There is a market for hundreds of ships in Europe and the most obvious markets will be around the UK and Italy.

I think it is totally wrong what they are doing in the UK and Italy. If they make it so strict without realising what is happening, it is not very clever. They just push people abroad or out in the grey market in order to have a nice ethical position.

-- Ole Schou

Currently, the legislation in many countries forces couples hoping to choose their baby's gender into one of two choices: to travel abroad, which is beyond the financial means of most, or to use the "keep trying" method, which is rather expensive as well. If the quality of medical treatment offered on the "fertility ships" is high, then this could be the answer that some couples have been hoping for.

by Maureen

Comments

# Jane said on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 4:32 PM

I don't see anything wrong with anyone wanting to parent both genders. If people are willing to pay to have a certain sex so be it. It is a very personal choice and slap dash comments like the one above are just ridiculous. I would bet that the person above already has both genders. Try putting yourself in people's shoes who have 2, 3, 4 or more of the same gender and then we'll talk. There is nothing wrong in wanting to have a boy and a girl. Nothing at all. Don't try and make us feel guilty for wanting something we don't have - yet.

# Chris said on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 6:51 AM

As a parent of 2 healthy children, I count myself extremely lucky. However, this does not stop me from desperately wishing for a child of a different gender to the two I already have. I think it's a natural instinct to want a mixed family, and if these fertility ships ever become a reality, I think my spouse and I might consider treatment.