Pining for Another Daughter: Is it Permissible to Turn to PGD for Emotional Reasons?

Question:

Hello Rabbi Cherlow, I am a 34 year old religious woman, mother to 7 children - 6 boys and one girl. For five years I have felt a deep desire to have another daughter - a wish accompanied by daily prayer and great emotional hardship. I would want to know if one could halachically consider referring to the process of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in order to try to bring another daughter into this world, out of an honest and true emotional need. I would love to discuss this with a rabbi or the appropriate yoetzet in the organization and get some direction. Thanks in advance.

Answer:

Hello,

First, Hashem should bless you and your children, and you should see the good of Jerusalem all of your days.

This question has two dimensions. I will begin with the practical: I would say that it is a waste to deliberate the issue, because according to the criteria of the PGD committee, they would not have the authority to approve use of this technology to bring another daughter into the world. I am sorry that I am beginning this way, however as one who has sat on this committee for many years since its establishment (I am no longer there for a number of years) I understand the reality well – both your desire and the obligating guidelines.

The second dimension is the halachic one. Halachic authorities were not so enthusiastic with the use of this technology. They did not entirely prohibit it, and therefore one cannot say that the matter is prohibited, but in general they qualified it as only in cases of very serious need. From your words a powerful desire and perhaps even a need arises, and I of course cannot quantify its strength, but I assume that most authorities would point you towards being very very happy with your lot, and avoid entering this process.

All the best and much joy,

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, Head of the Tzohar Ethics Center

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