Prof. Dr. Özekici explained everything about in vitro fertilization to Haberler.com: Can gender be determined?

Women's Diseases and Obstetrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Ümit Özekici was the guest of Meltem Şarkışlalı, the moderator of the program published on Haberler.com. In the program, Ümit Özekici explained all the unknowns about in vitro fertilization treatment and clarified the question, "Can gender be determined with treatment?"

"DETERMINING GENDER IN IN VITRO FERTILIZATION IS PROHIBITED IN TURKEY"

Özekici explained that gender can be determined in in vitro fertilization treatment but is prohibited in Turkey, stating, "The fundamental issue here is that genetic separation is performed. While genetic separation is being done, both the sex chromosomes X and Y and the other 22 pairs are examined. However, since Turkey is subject to the European Union (EU) harmonization laws, a decision was made that gender cannot be determined in any way."

"WE LOOK AT GENDER IN ONLY ONE WAY"

Özekici noted that hereditary diseases are detected through genetic separations, saying, "You can learn everything, such as the commonly seen Edwards and Down syndrome. There are 3,500 genetic diseases, and you cannot screen all of them, but gender is prohibited. We look at gender in only one way. If the mother is a carrier of a disease linked to the X or Y gene, it is checked in the laboratory to prevent her from giving birth to such a baby. We are informed that 'these embryos are healthy,' not whether they are female or male."

"GENDER CAN BE DETERMINED IN SOME COUNTRIES"

Özekici stated that gender can be determined in in vitro fertilization treatment in Cyprus, Mexico, South America, and some African countries, while expressing that gender is not checked in the United States and many developed European countries.

"THEY USED TO TERMINATE PREGNANCIES"

Özekici said, "Because in the past, during the third month of pregnancy, at 2.5 months, the embryo's genetics were understood through chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or biopsy. Especially in the Far East, Eastern and Middle Eastern countries, they used to terminate pregnancies. To prevent this, in England, health information is strictly provided. They prove that there is no disease linked to an X or Y chromosome. But the gender is not disclosed. We hear that many places, starting from Cyprus, are doing these."