FAIRFAX, Va, January 19, 2004 (LifeSiteNewws.com) - The Genetics and IVF Institute (GIVF) in Fairfax, Virginia is conducting a FDA-endorsed clinical trial of the new Microsort technology for sex-selection via sorting of sperm before embryos are created using in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Thus far 400 couples have signed on to the trial, which is nearly half-way to completion. The Microsort technique for sex-selection involves using dye to mark sperm and a laser to sort the sperm based on the knowledge that sperm which will produce girls have more DNA. In a BBC interview on the topic of sex selection, Rachel Heath, assistant director of education for the pro-life charity Life, told the BBC news that “Children are a precious gift, and should be accepted totally unconditionally. We are concerned that children are increasingly being seen as commodities to be manufactured to specification as though they can be taken off the supermarket shelf.” Read the Newsweek coverage of the sex-selection issue at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3990134/