Ban on baby sex selection will stay

Selecting the sex of a baby for social or "family balancing" reasons should be banned, according to the Government's fertility watchdog.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority ruled that couples should only be permitted to choose the sex of their offspring to avoid gender-linked disorders such as haemophilia and muscular dystrophy.

They also called for a change in the law to regulate the technique of sorting between male and female sperm.

The authority said recent research had shown more than 80 per cent of people in the UK were opposed to gender selection for non-medical reasons.

Suzi Leather, the HFEA chairwoman, said they had found sex selection a "difficult issue".

She added: "Nevertheless, we are not persuaded that the likely benefits of permitting sex selection for social reasons are strong enough to outweigh the possible harm done."

Under current licensing, the HFEA permits IVF clinics to use the technique only to avoid a sex-linked hereditary disease.

Health Secretary John Reid said: "As long as I am Secretary of State for Health, sex selection will only be permitted on compelling medical grounds."