Method of determining the sex of the fetus at 7 weeks of age

Doctors from the Sheba Medical Center (Israel) have developed a new blood test that can determine the sex of the fetus at 7 weeks of age.

Couples now have to wait until the 20-week-old fetus knows the exact gender of the baby that is about to be born with ultrasound. (Photo: internet)
Currently, couples often know exactly what their upcoming baby is a boy or a girl after the baby is 20 weeks old by ultrasound. However, the new blood test method, which is not harmful to the fetus, can help determine the sex of the fetus 3 months earlier than the current method.

Scientists say the fetal Y chromosome can be detected through a mother's blood test. If there is a Y chromosome in the mother's blood, their child will be a boy and if not, the chromosome will be a girl. Tests have been carried out for 99% accurate results.

In addition to helping determine the sex of the fetus, Dr. Esther Guetta, of the Sheba Medical Center, said the new blood test will be developed into a research tool to help detect genes that cause blood disease. , like diluted blood, is difficult to freeze.

Currently, the method of determining the sex of the fetus by blood test has been applied in some regions in the US, Israel and some European countries.

However, this method is giving rise to moral concerns. The reason is, it may encourage couples to give up their unborn babies if they find that their gender is not what they want.

In addition, sex-determination blood tests may pose gender imbalance risks in some countries with a culture that values ​​boys more than girls like India, China, Korea, and Vietnam. and other Asian countries. Currently, this area is having the highest rate of female abortion in the world.