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Published in: Health Care Analysis 3/2010

01-09-2010 | Original Article

The Ethics of Nonmedical Sex Selection

Authors: H. Strange, R. Chadwick

Published in: Health Care Analysis | Issue 3/2010

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that there are significant ethical problems with nonmedical sex selection, and that prohibitive legislation is justified. The central argument put forward is that nonmedical sex selection is a sexist practice which promotes socially restrictive conceptions of sex, gender and family. Several steps are taken to justify this position: background information on technology and legislation is provided, the neoliberal position that is supportive of nonmedical sex selection is described, and preliminary reasons for rejecting this approach are given. A detailed description of how a harm/benefit based analysis contributes to the argument against nonmedical sex selection, and how it successfully counters most criticism, is provided. The paper concludes by suggesting that virtue ethics further strengthens the moral argument against nonmedical sex selection.
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Metadata
Title
The Ethics of Nonmedical Sex Selection
Authors
H. Strange
R. Chadwick
Publication date
01-09-2010
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Health Care Analysis / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 1065-3058
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3394
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10728-009-0135-y

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