A BABY'S sex should not be determined by parental whim and a few thousand dollars, according to responses to a government consultation exercise.
The Provisional Council on Reproductive Technology has received 35 submissions from medical, social welfare and religious groups, over the draft bill governing the burgeoning fertility industry.
Most said sex selection for social reasons should be banned, according to council's secretary Wong See-man.
Mr Wong said individuals and groups argued the sex selection would upset the natural balance between two sexes and cause serious sexual discrimination.
However, sex selection for medical reasons should be allowed, since it could avoid serious sex-linked hereditary diseases.
But people held different views of whether such bans should be regulated under legislation, or the code of practice as in the case of other reproduction technology procedures.
The two-month consultation exercise, which ended last week, also showed the use of foetal ovarian and testicular tissue in infertility treatment should be prohibited. Opponents said there were other options for infertile couples. They also expressed concern about possible incest.