Can You Choose the Sex of an IVF Baby? Complete Comparison: U.S. vs. Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, China (2026 Update)

Whether sex selection is allowed in IVF has always been one of the most frequently asked questions among Asian parents. Due to differences in laws, ethics, and religious culture, regulations on embryo sex selection vary widely across countries. Below is a complete summary comparing the United States and major Asian regions (Hong Kong / Taiwan / Singapore / Japan / China)—covering legality, restrictions, openness of PGT-A, costs, and FAQs—so you can understand everything at a glance.

United States: Legal, Mature Technology, Free Sex Selection Allowed

In the U.S., embryo sex selection is legal. Most fertility centers use PGT-A (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy) to determine embryo sex and select healthy embryos.

Why do many Asian families choose the U.S.?

• Legal sex selection (Family Balancing)
   
• Clear laws and medical transparency
   
• Higher demand among older parents, second-/third-child families
   
• High success rates (PGT-A + single embryo transfer)
   
• Cross-border families, single individuals, and LGBT patients can all receive treatment
   

Hong Kong: Allowed Only for Medical Necessity, Not for Personal Preference

Hong Kong IVF treatment is regulated under the Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance.
Sex selection is not allowed for family preference.
It is only permitted when necessary to prevent severe sex-linked genetic diseases, such as:

• Thalassemia
   
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
   

For ordinary couples or second-child families, sex selection is not allowed.

Taiwan: Completely Prohibits Sex Selection

Taiwan’s Assisted Reproduction Act explicitly prohibits sex selection for non-medical purposes.

Exception: Sex identification via PGT-A is allowed only to prevent serious sex-linked hereditary diseases.

Singapore: Prohibits Sex Selection for Non-Medical Purposes

Singapore has extremely strict IVF regulations. Sex selection is not permitted, and PGT is restricted to:

• Preventing severe genetic diseases
   
• Certain recurrent miscarriage cases
   

Sex information is generally not provided to couples.

Japan: Prohibits Sex Selection, with Limited Exceptions

The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology prohibits sex selection.
PGT-A may only be used in cases such as:

• Severe X-linked genetic disorders
   
• Unavoidable medical necessity
   

Family preference (e.g., wanting a boy/girl) is not accepted.

China: Strictly Prohibits Sex Selection

China has the strictest laws.
All non-medical sex selection is prohibited.

Allowed only in rare cases to prevent severe sex-linked diseases, such as:

• Hemophilia
   
• Other serious hereditary disorders
   

The general public cannot legally obtain embryo sex information.

Comparison Table: Sex Selection Policies in the U.S. and Asia

Why More Asian Families Choose the U.S. for IVF

• Want a higher chance of success (“one try and succeed”)
   
• Want the option to choose boy/girl
   
• Family balancing
   
• Older maternal age and desire to increase implantation success
   
• Families with multiple children already (e.g., two girls wishing for a boy)
   
• LGBT or single parents who cannot receive treatment in many Asian regions
   
• U.S. PGT-A accuracy reaches 98–99%, able to detect chromosomal abnormalities and improve success rates
   

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1: Does PGT-A harm the embryo?

No. PGT-A involves retrieving a small sample of cells from the trophectoderm (outer layer) of a day-5 blastocyst. It does not affect future fetal development.

Q2: Is sex selection unnatural?

Some countries view it as an ethical issue. However, in the U.S., it is treated as personal choice. The process follows medical regulations and does not modify genes—it only identifies sex before transfer.

Q3: How much does it cost?

• PGT-A testing: USD 4,000–6,000
   
• Complete IVF cycle in the U.S.: USD 20,000–35,000 (varies by clinic)

Most Asian countries do not allow sex selection, so clinics do not disclose embryo sex information.

Want to Understand Legal, Safe, and Transparent Sex Selection Options?

If you want legal sex selection, high success rates, and advanced U.S. reproductive technology,BLC collaborates with multiple top U.S. reproductive centers and can customize your ideal IVF plan based on your family’s needs.