‘ You know we have the technology these days, so why not? Most fertility specialists have a link with somebody who does it’ SARA MATTHEWS
SARA Matthews, a gynaecologist based at the private Portland Hospital in central London, sends patients who request gender selection to Dubai.
The consultant is open about offering the service despite knowing it is against the law in Britain – with a ‘family balancing’ section on her recently-launched website.
She told our undercover reporters: ‘It is illegal here. I send most of my couples to Dubai. We get you ready and I just let them know when you’re coming over. I would have ethical objections if you came here and you hadn’t had any children and you said right, I want a designer girl baby with curly blonde hair and whatever.
‘But with two boys – you know I don’t want to have eight children but I would love a little girl. We have the technology, so why not?’
Miss Matthews – who has had an independent practice at the Portland since 2008 – said she leaves it up to patients whether to tell their GP about their plans. She added: ‘Your GP can certainly do the blood test if he’s willing.’
She charges couples £395 for an initial consultation, up to £2,500 for medication, £220 for scans and up to £350 for blood tests in the UK. She sends them to Dubai’s Fakih Clinic, which charges £4,400 for a partial cycle.
She said she could not ‘overly publicise’ gender selection, but that it was ‘not an issue’.
Asked for comment, Miss Matthews said: ‘I have no problem in helping patients find reputable clinics, liaising with them to ensure the couple get a good quality treatment.
‘I have refused childless patients who come asking to have a child of a certain sex, but in this day and age I have no moral dilemma with patients who have two or more children of one sex and want another of a different gender.’