Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) can be used to determine the chromosomal sex of the fetus at an early stage in a pregnancy. The use of NIPT for fetal sex determination raises concerns about potential selective termination of pregnancy by prospective parents who desire a child of a particular sex. Although sex selection for medical reasons is generally accepted, non-medical sex selection (NMSS) has been the subject of considerable controversy. In this article, we explore the current regulatory landscape around reproductive genetic testing techniques that may lead to NMSS, both internationally and within Australia. Specifically, we contrast the approach to regulating preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) with the minimal regulation of NIPT in Australia as a case study for reform. We examine ethical concerns raised in relation to NMSS, which form the basis of the current moratorium on the use of PGT for NMSS. We then highlight some key differences between using PGT for NMSS and NIPT for fetal sex determination to determine whether access to the latter should be regulated and, if so, how. We conclude that there is insufficient evidence to restrict access to NIPT for fetal sex determination and, based on our Australian case study, recommend a facilitative approach to regulating NIPT that would support individuals to make informed reproductive decisions.

中文翻译：

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规范胎儿性别确定的无创产前检测 (NIPT)

无创产前检测（NIPT）可用于在怀孕早期确定胎儿的染色体性别。使用 NIPT 来确定胎儿性别引起了人们对想要特定性别孩子的准父母可能选择性终止妊娠的担忧。尽管基于医学原因的性别选择已被普遍接受，但非医学性别选择（NMSS）一直是相当大的争议主题。在本文中，我们探讨了国际上和澳大利亚境内可能导致 NMSS 的生殖基因检测技术的当前监管状况。具体来说，我们将澳大利亚植入前基因检测 (PGT) 的监管方法与 NIPT 的最低监管方法进行对比，作为改革的案例研究。我们研究了与 NMSS 相关的伦理问题，这构成了目前暂停在 NMSS 中使用 PGT 的基础。然后，我们强调使用 PGT 进行 NMSS 和使用 NIPT 进行胎儿性别测定之间的一些关键区别，以确定是否应该对后者的获取进行监管，如果需要，如何监管。我们的结论是，没有足够的证据限制使用 NIPT 来确定胎儿性别，并且根据我们的澳大利亚案例研究，建议采用促进性方法来监管 NIPT，以支持个人做出明智的生殖决定。