New Test To Determine Fetal Sex Not Used In U.S.

There was a time when it was impossible to know the sex of a baby until it was born. The ultra-sound machine changed that a few weeks ago. The ultra-sound can sometimes determine the sex of a fetus at about 12 weeks, although it usually takes a little longer than that. Now there is a fairly simple test that can determine sex very accurately at 7 weeks.

The test is called a Cell-Free Fetal DNA Test, and it is already being used in European hospitals. They draw a bit of the mother's blood and then look for tiny bits of the male sex chromosome. The test is 98.8% effective in predicting boys and is 94.8% effective in predicting girls -- some pretty good numbers.

It is being used in Europe because knowing the sex of a baby early can eliminate the need for more invasive tests to try and pick up some possible genetic defects -- tests that can sometimes result in a miscarriage. These genetic defects are much more likely to strike boys, so if the simple blood test shows the baby will be a girl the mother could elect not to have the more invasive (and more dangerous) tests.

Sounds great doesn't it -- a simple test that can avoid women having to experience a miscarriage. But the test is not being performed in the United States. Why? Because the anti-abortion crowd are afraid that if a mother finds out the sex of a fetus before 12 weeks are passed, then might get an abortion because it is not the sex the mother (or her mate) wants.

This is ridiculous in my opinion. Any test that is that effective, and can be used to possibly prevent more invasive procedures and miscarriages should be used. And personally, I believe the mother has a right to know the sex of the fetus she is carrying. Aren't we supposed to be a free country? Why then do we deny a woman the right to know this. Can't we just trust women to do what is best for themselves and their family? Must we continually treat women as second-class citizens who only have the right to know what others elect to tell them?

What do you think? Should this test be available to any woman who wants it in this country?