There are many reasons for couples to want a baby of a certain gender. While some of the reasons you may have heard about in the news can seem questionable at best, most hopeful parents-to-be are interested in gender selection as a way of avoiding specific genetic conditions in their child.

Their choices: MicroSort(tm)and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

In brief, MicroSort is best used for couples who know they are fertile by way of having biological children already. Sometimes, their goal is to "balance" their family that already has several children of the same gender.

By literally sorting the gender-determining sperm cells before use in an IVF procedure, MicroSort increases chances to approximately 88 percent accuracy for conceiving a girl and 73 percent for conceiving a boy.

The technology of MicroSort was developed by the renowned Genetics & IVF Institute (GIVF) in Fairfax, Virginia. Houston Infertility Clinic is an authorized collaborating medical facility with GIVF. As of January 2007, more than 900 babies had been born using MicroSort.

PGD is more accurate because the DNA of embryos created in vitro (using IVF techniques) is actually examined cellularly by our embryologist, Dr. Neil Stoddart. Therefore, when genetic condition avoidance is the primary reason for gender selection, PGD is most often our recommendation.

Other common indications for PGD to help couples conceive a healthy pregnancy and child are previous recurrent miscarriage or failed IVF cycles, and to avoid the passing on of several different hereditary diseases.

Choices for Family-Building

Speaking on behalf of the staff at Houston Infertility Clinic, we believe that our patients have reasonable rights to make choices about their own healthcare and families. I am happy to make assisted reproductive technology available to couples who wish to use it.

As always, I and my staff encourage you to ask questions and present your concerns to us.

Sincerely,

Sonja B. Kristiansen, MD