Introduction: Gender selection is the term currently used when the couple tries to dictate the sex of the baby to be born. The sex of the baby may be chosen before fertilization or at conception by preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) Gender selection may be performed for medical 01 social indications. The latter had created an intense legal and ethical debate all over the world Gender selection is becoming increasingly advertised and practiced around the world The paper discusses gender selection in different cultures, procreative autonomy of women, and legal and ethical issues in gender selection Material: The desire for gender selection is a reflection of culture, tradition, religion, civilization, education, arid available technologies in the community Gender selection and preference as they had been practiced in different cultures are discussed Legal issues surrounding gender selection and attempts to criminalize its practice in some countries are analysed Different ethical issues in gender selection such as whether it reinforces male preference, interferes with nature, is sexist, or conflicts with procreative autonomy of women are discussed The possible positive and negative effects of gender selection are explored. The statements of different international organizations on the issue of gender selection are reviewed The controversial issue of whether indications for gender selection justify creation of embryos and how to deal with these embryos are discussed. Results: The review of literature has revealed the pressing need for concerned international organizations as IFFS to issue their guidelines on this important issue Soon, gender selection may become available on the counter, and we shall then be faced with the outcome of its bizarre use. Conclusion: Gender bias must be tackled at more fundamental and comprehensive social, economic, political, and legal levels worldwide Till we achieve these long-term goals, gender selection may not be unethical in some particular instances to overcome some societal customs, and to meet procreative autonomy of some couples Practices of gender selection intended to promote gender discrimination are unacceptable independent of cultural, religious, political and societal demands.
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