Gender testing - what do you think?

[nappyaddict]

Baby-gender test available over net
04 May 2007

DNA Worldwide has produced a gadget which it claims can determine the sex of an unborn baby at just six weeks old.

For £189.99 (or £239.95 for the quicker Express version), curious parents-to-be can take a home-testing kit which takes a sample of blood from the expectant mum. The blood is then sent off to DNA Worldwide who will analyse the results and send back a letter declaring the baby's gender.

DNA Worldwide claims that this method could be even more accurate than conventional ones since it uses foetal DNA present in the mother's blood to help determine the sex.

"An ultrasound is not always accurate in determining the gender of a baby and is most commonly performed four to six months during the pregnancy to determine the gender," states the firm's website.

Pro-life campaigners have voiced their concern about the gadget, saying it could prompt prospective parents to abort a foetus if it is the "wrong" sex, but supporters of the technology state that it gives parents peace of mind and helps them with making the preparations for their new arrival.

David Nicholson, director of DNA Worldwide, stressed to the BBC that in America, where the technology has been in widespread use for months, there was no evidence that parents were using the gadget for anything other than preparation purposes.

He also stressed that any couple who wanted to find out the sex of their child for medical or genetic reasons should seek the help of a medical practitioner who could provide counselling.

"supporters of the technology state that it gives parents peace of mind and helps them with making the preparations for their new arrival."

Surely they don't need that much time?!
4.5mths has always been plenty of time in the past, as indeed, has been 24hrs!

(I know I should be in bed, I think I need therapy for getting off MN at night! lol)

you mean 4.5 months if they were finding out at the scan? i don't think its that it give them more time, its that it is meant to be reliable.

It gives more time because it can be done at six weeks (I assume that's six week post implantation and threfore 8 weeks pregnant).

I've always said I'd like the gender to come on the pregnancy test (+B or +G or -). But, I'm not ever going to be one of those people who might terminate because it's the wrong gender. Sadly, there are plenty of people in this world who would. So, I think waiting until it is too late to terminate on the basis of gender is probably a good idea.

And, finding out at the 20 week scan really does give you plenty of time to prepare.

However, this is probably not the first test which tells you the gender so early. Can the CVS determine gender? I know an amnio can determine gender.

yeah but you could still terminate at 12 weeks if you really wanted to and thats when i found out the gender.

CVS at 12 weeks will tell you the gender and I could clearly see biy bits at my 12 week nuchal scan before confirmed by cvs. personally i think that is early enough.