Introducing a groundbreaking £189 mail-order kit that allows parents to determine the sex of their unborn child earlier than ever before. Using just a single drop of the pregnant woman’s blood, this test provides the same information that would typically be obtained through an ultrasound scan at 20 weeks.
While some parents may use this test to help plan ahead, concerns have been raised by pro-life campaigners. They fear that receiving the results at such an early stage could lead to an increase in abortions based on gender preference.
Michaela Aston, representing the pro-life charity LIFE, warns that this test presents a dangerous risk, potentially resulting in the termination of babies simply because they are deemed to be the “wrong” sex. Julia Millington, from the Prolife Alliance, shares this concern and adds that there is a real possibility that certain individuals may choose to abort babies of a particular gender.
It is worth noting that the 20-week ultrasound scan, which is currently the first check for many expectant mothers (usually done at 12 weeks), already comes close to the legal limit for abortions. In fact, some health authorities have stopped disclosing the gender information at 20 weeks due to concerns about gender-based terminations.
While an early sex test is already available on the Health Service for those at risk of gender-specific genetic conditions, this new home kit offers women the chance to find out the sex of their baby regardless of their genetic history. Mothers-to-be only need to prick their finger to provide a small blood sample, which is then sent to a lab for testing on a special filter paper.
Using three tests to identify the presence of the Y chromosome found in males, technicians can accurately determine the sex of the baby. This is possible because the unborn baby’s DNA is already present in the mother’s blood from as early as six weeks. Results typically take around six days to be returned to the customer, with DNA Worldwide claiming a 99% accuracy rate.
While this new home kit offers convenience and the opportunity for early gender discovery, it is important for expectant mothers to remember that the sex of their child should not determine their decision to keep or terminate their pregnancy. Every child deserves love and care, regardless of their gender.
