Is IVF Gender Selection Legal in Japan?
In this article we will be examining IVF and Gender Selection treatments and look into the Japanese example in detail. If you want to know more about IVF and Gender Selection treatments, this article will help you find the answers to your questions.
What Is IVF?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedure where sperm and an egg are fertilized outside of the human body. IVF offers a chance for couples that are unable to conceive to experience a successful pregnancy and have a healthy baby. There can be many reasons why couples might choose to receive IVF treatments. Some of these reasons are male or female infertility and being unable to conceive due to advanced age.
In IVF, eggs from the ovaries of the woman is collected and then the eggs are examined and their quality is inspected. After the examination, one or several eggs are selected and these eggs are fertilized with the collected sperm of their partner or donor sperm in a laboratory environment. Once the eggs are fertilized, the embryos that are formed are graded for their quality. One or several of these embryos are placed inside the woman’s womb through the cervix.
What is IVF Gender Selection?
Gender selection, sometimes known as sex selection, can be a step of IVF treatments. While the gender of the baby is determined naturally at random in normal IVF treatments, with gender selection, it is possible to choose the gender of your baby. A fertility doctor can identify the gender of a child by looking at the chromosomes before the implantation of the egg into the woman’s womb. Thanks to the developments in modern fertility technologies, preimplantation genetic testing can be conducted to monitor the gender of the embryos. This makes the reliable predetermination of the gender of an embryo possible.
Future parents can wish the select the gender of their child for many different and unique reasons. Some families have medical reasons for receiving IVF treatment such as the risk of gender-specific genetically transmitted diseases. One common non-medical reason is “family balancing”. By controlling the gender of their children, families wish to achieve a more balanced family representation. For example, after having two boys, a couple might receive IVF treatment to have a girl next. Whatever the reason, gender selection is an available treatment supporting parents.
History of IVF in Japan
Japan’s IVF history started in 1983 when the first baby conceived with IVF methods was born. From then on human assisted reproductive technologies continued to improve and became more widespread in Japan.
Today, Japan is the home to one of the biggest populations that seek IVF treatments and the country has the highest rate of IVF treatment in the world. There are more than 600 facilities and clinics that offer IVF treatments around the country supporting infertile couples.
One reason why IVF treatments are important for Japan is the decreasing population of the country. In 2016. For the first time since the government started compiling records in 1899, the number of births in Japan fell below one million. Last year, Japan’s total population shrank by approximately 640.000.
As the fertility rates are below the population replacement rate which is around 2.1, the Japanese government has been supporting couples who need IVF treatments to have children with subsidies since 2004. Though the treatments can be expensive, more and more Japanese couples have been interested in receiving IVF treatment. In 2018, over 50,000 Japanese babies were born thanks to IVF treatment, accounting for 5% of all births in the nation according to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Is IVF Gender Selection Legal in Japan?
While there is high demand for in vitro fertilization in Japan, gender selection treatment is strictly restricted in Japan. According to the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the application of the gender selection method is limited to cases where there are genetic and chromosomal abnormalities that may result in the birth of a child with a serious genetic disorder. For this reason, each application is thoroughly reviewed before being approved or denied. This is why it is difficult for Japanese citizens who wish to receive gender selection treatment to do so in their own country. Many Japanese are increasingly considering receiving treatments abroad.
Where Is Gender Selection Legal?
Although IVF treatment is becoming widespread across the world, gender selection treatment remains to be available legally in only a few countries. In the majority of the countries across the world, gender selection treatment is either considered an illegal practice or its availability is very restricted. The list of countries where gender selection is available legally includes countries such as Cyprus, Thailand, the United States, Mexico, Iran, and United Arab Emirates.
Best Countries for IVF Gender Selection Treatment
Having researched the best options for gender selection treatments, we are working with two of the most successful countries in the world; Cyprus and Thailand.
IVF Gender Selection in Cyprus
Cyprus is an island nation and a popular holiday destination near Turkey, which makes transportation via Turkey very convenient. Cyprus Fertility Centers are well-known worldwide, and patients receive IVF gender selection treatment in Cyprus as a result. The clinics in Cyprus are very experienced in gender selection treatment and have exceptionally high success rates.
Of course, it is important that a reputable reproductive clinic should be selected. We are working with the best gender selection clinics in Cyprus at the best prices. The cost of our IVF Gender Selection procedures in Cyprus starts from €7,500.
You can contact us for further information if you wish to learn more about the IVF Gender Selection fertility clinics in Cyprus.
IVF Gender Selection in Thailand
In recent years, Thailand has become one of the most popular choices among medical tourists welcoming millions of patients each year. The country is home to some of the largest hospitals in the Southeast Asia region. Thai medical care offers highly advanced treatments for very affordable prices.
Because of the legality of gender selection in the country and its geographic closeness to Japan, Thailand is seeing more Japanese couples coming in for gender selection treatments. With its fine climate, colorful culture, and beautiful touristic cities, Thailand also presents itself as a charming candidate for medical tourism.
Today, IVF and Gender Selection treatments are an important part of fertility treatments across the world supporting couples experiencing fertility issues to expand their families.
While it is difficult for Japanese people to receive gender selection treatment in Japan, there are many great opportunities abroad. If you want to know more about IVF and Gender Selection, you can reach us for free consultation.