Attitudes toward sex selection: a survey among potential users in Israel.

Objective: Since 1995, Israel allows social sex selection (SxS) under certain circumstances. However, data regarding the attitudes of potential users are limited.

Methods: The study population composed of a stratified sample of Israeli married men and women at the reproductive age (women aged 17-45, men aged 17-65), who had 1-2, 3, or 4+ children of the same sex. We conducted telephonic interviews with 687 Israeli residents using a structured questionnaire that included the following items: demographic characteristics, opinions regarding SxS, personal interest in expanding the family, and interest in choosing the sex of a future child.

Results: Among the group of respondents who wanted to have more children (true potential users of the technology), 42.6% wished to select the sex of a future child. Strong desire for family balancing was found. In a multivariable logistic regression model, being an ultra-orthodox was associated with a lower desire to choose (OR = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01-0.06), while having more same-sex children was associated with a greater desire to choose (OR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.54-6.32).

Conclusions: It can be estimated that if SxS were to be freely permitted in Israel, less than half of those for whom SxS is truly relevant would want to use the technology.