The surplus boys
CHRISTOPHER HOLLIS
If it becomes possible in the near future to control the sex of human offspring, what will be the likely social consequence? Amitai Etzioni, professor of sociology at Columbia University, believes that there would be a sur- phis of boys.—The Times
Experiments among the Czechs At regulating babies' sex Are thought by Doctor Etzioni Alarming, brash and somewhat phoney.
At Cambridge, it is true, these habits Have for some time been tried on rabbits, But then a rabbit and his wife Lead an ill-regulated life.
At Indianapolis a vote, Which certain statisticians quote, Shows that where parents have a voice They most of them pick males for choice, And breed a race that in the rough Is stupid, epicene and tough.
To keep the balance we are told The parents, too, must be controlled, Conditioned by discreet abortion, Have families of due proportion, And see to it that now and then They breed a girl instead of men, And,thus procure that on the whole Control is countered by control: Or why not leave things as they were With Nature, and not interfere?
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