The Reason The Male Always Determines His Child`s Gender

March 07, 1986|By G. Timothy Johnson, M.D.

Dear Dr. Johnson: Is it true that the man determines the sex of a child?

Yes, Virginia, that is the truth. This comes about because the man`s sperm contains the chromosomes needed to make either a girl (the X-chromosome) or a boy (the Y-chromosome) when combined with the egg--which contains only the X chromosome.

Each parent gives one sex chromosome to the child, but the mother can only give ``girl-making`` ones. Therefore, nature`s lottery hinges on which male sperm penetrates the egg--one carrying the Y chromosome or one carrying the X chromosome.

When left to chance, it is roughly 50-50 that the male will give a boy

(whose finished genetic makeup is XY--one from each parent) or a girl (XX

--again one from each parent). However, there are some reasonably scientific ways of trying to increase the chances of a sperm specimen containing more Y than X chromosomes. This is done in an attempt to increase the chances of giving birth to a male--something that many parents apparently are willing to choose.

However, there are obvious ethical questions involved in such ``sex selection`` and it is a method which should be carefully considered before being chosen.

Dear Dr. Johnson: I have always assumed that bad breath means there is some problem in the mouth, but I read recently that it may indicate far more serious disease problems. Is that really true?

The vast majority of breath problems are caused by poor oral hygiene--a euphemistic phrase for inadequate brushing and care of the mouth and teeth. However, in rare instances bad breath may signify a problem in the lungs or elsewhere in the body.

If you have a bad breath problem, you should consult your dentist. If that doesn`t seem to solve the problem, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms, you should have your physician check it out.


Unfortunately, cataracts are still an all too common phenomenon as part of aging. The good news is that there are excellent surgical procedures to remove them and replace the lens of the eye with an intraocular lens, a so-called IOL. The performance of IOLs in recent years has dramatically improved to the point that they are regarded as almost routine in cataract surgery.

Dear Dr. Johnson: I have always found that my knees hurt when I run down a hill than when I run up. It seems a matter of common sense that more pressure is put on the knees going downhill, but I wonder if you doctors agree?

Most doctors would agree that running downhill puts more stress on knees and ankles than does running uphill. That`s why when running down a long incline, it is advised to zigzag back and forth rather than running straight down.

Dear readers: Recent reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control indicate the number of penicillin-resistant cases of gonorrhea is on the rise in this country. The CDC points out that such cases have now been reported in all 50 states. Fortunately, there are other antibiotics that can be used in treating this disease, but they are more expensive and may have more side effects. Therefore, the concern about the rising number of resistant gonorrhea cases is legitimate and should be a consideration of all who are sexually active.

Most headache sufferers can be helped. Dr. Johnson tells you how in his booklet. For a copy, send $2.25 to Headache, Box 4406, Orlando, Fla. 32802-4406. Make checks payable to Newspaperbooks.

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