n>Aviana Zahara is a sophomore at Augustana College in Illinois. Before she was conceived, her parents hoped to have a girl rather than a boy. Gender selection might appear to be a frivolous option exclusive to elites, but for parents like Aviana’s, contemplating gender selection entailed weighing acute moral and medical concerns. Her mother, Renee Liva, was born with one of the 1,100 known chromosome X-linked genetic disorders that, if passed on to a son, would cause serious health problems. Renee discussed a variety of options with her husband, James Zahara, including gender selection through in vitro fertilization. There were additional factors to consider. Aviana’s dad is Catholic and is against abortion. Was it worth the risk of an abortion if Renee’s Alport’s Syndrome caused renal failure during pregnancy? Aviana’s maternal grandfather was then diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and told he had only a few months to live. The pressure to make a decision mounted. Read Full Article »