A Kobe maternity clinic performed sex selection of the unborn using a controversial genetic diagnosis method on in vitro fertilized ova from two women, contrary to the directives of a medical society, the doctor who heads the clinic said Wednesday.
Otani Women's Clinic in Nada Ward started undertaking the preimplantation genetic diagnosis, intended for the prevention of genetic disorders, in 2002, Tetsuo Otani, 48, told reporters.
It is the first known case of a Japanese clinic employing the method. In 1998, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology compiled guidelines restricting use of the technique, specifying it should only be used to prevent serious, incurable hereditary diseases.