MPs demand inquiry into sex selection doctors
NHS medics allegedly charging couples to let them choose gender of their baby
MPs have called for a General Medical Council (GMC) inquiry into reports that some medical practitioners in the UK are secretly charging couples money to select the sex of their child.
Gender selection for non-medical reasons is illegal in the UK, but the Daily Mail reports that at least four British doctors have been offering the service to couples under their care. The doctors allegedly set up “appointments at private clinics” in the UK for the couples, before sending them abroad to undergo the procedure at medical centres in countries including Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates.
The UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has said that it is “extremely concerned about any HFEA-licensed centre, or any individual connected to it, promoting and facilitating such treatment”. The watchdog added that it will be contacting the centres and individuals about the allegations.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Three members of the Commons Health Committee, including SNP MP Dr Lisa Cameron, have called for the GMC to launch its own investigation into the “morally dubious procedure”.
Cameron described the Mail’s findings as “alarming”, adding: “I hope the fertility regulator will launch a full investigation into this and appropriate action is taken against the medical professionals involved. We need to send a clear message that this is not acceptable.”
Fertility clinics in Britain must have a licence from the HFEA to operate, while doctors practising medicine in the country must be registered with the GMC to obtain a licence to practice.
However, such restrictions do not apply in some other parts of the world. “The legal ambiguity of northern Cyprus has made it an attractive option for the booming highly controversial industry of designer babies,” reports the Cyprus Mail.
Jay Karatuna, who advises English patients at an IVF centre in the Cypriot city of Famagusta, told an undercover Daily Mail reporter: “In North Cyprus you have no issues at all on the legal side of things. Everything is legal here. We’ve been doing it for years and years and years. It’s no problem to us.”
Responding to the newspaper’s report, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “Sex selection is strictly prohibited in the UK and the Government takes these allegations extremely seriously.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'Trickle-down economics is a scam'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The ideological gap between younger men and women is becoming a chasm
Under the radar Seeing eye to eye is becoming a fading object in the rearview mirror
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
'Ending Israel's Gaza operation is also the surest way to avoid a regional war'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published