A Study of the Legitimacy of choosing the sex of fetus in Imami and Sunni Jurisprudence

Imami and Sunni jurists believe in the legitimacy of choosing the sex of the fetus in three ways: those believing in javaz (permission) hold that the drawbacks of applying this technique are rejectable. Those believing in hormat (sanctity) hold that manipulating fetal genes for unnecessary changes is wrong; Those believing in tafsil (details) hold that the use of this technique is correct only to prevent the transmission of genetic disorders or to treat diseases. In this research, with the descriptive - analytical and library method, the reasons for the legitimacy of gender selection in the jurisprudence of the two sects and the reasons for their opponents have been explained. The findings of this study show that gender selection is not permissible for non-medical reasons and solely on the basis of parents' preference for a particular sex. Assuming that there is no other way to maintain the health of the mother or fetus other than using gender selection techniques, rescuing the patient is rationally prior in the conflict between rescuing the patient and retrieving the cell from the fetus.