Australians use of overseas providers for sex selective reproductive technology

Like other Western-industrialized countries, Australians who wish to have reproductive treatment for sex selection purposes must travel overseas to access them as there are legal barriers prohibiting the treatment in Australia. This raises the question about how Australian get their information on services and care to make informed decisions about this form of “reproductive tourism”. Our paper uses Grounded Theory Method to analyse data collected from Australian medical providers, overseas clinic websites, and Australian internet forums and discussion boards. We find that some Australian clinics advise their clients to go overseas for procedures which are illegal in Australia. In turn, overseas fertility specialists actively market their services for residents in countries such as Australia where the procedures are not allowed. The analysis of the forum and discussion boards provides considerable detail on the reasons and approach that people take. The main topics that arise on the internet forums are being able to speak freely and safely, anonymity, telling others, interactions with doctors, travel logistics, quality of service and cost.