The presumption in favour of liberty: a comment on the HFEA's public consultation on sex selection.

In its recently published report 'Sex Selection: Options for Regulation', the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) concluded that sex selection for non-medical reasons should not be permitted in the United Kingdom. The HFEA's recommendation to ban sex selection for any but the most serious of medical reasons clearly reflects the majority view of UK citizens. Notwithstanding the general moral consensus against non-medical sex selection, the HFEA's approach to social policy needs to be criticised for betraying the commonly held presumption in favour of liberty.