A hypothesis test (or test of significance) is a procedure for testing a claim about a property of a population. In statistics, a hypothesis is a claim or statement about a property of a population. In Chapter 7 we presented methods for estimating a population parameter with a confidence interval, and in this chapter we present the method of hypothesis testing. The two main activities of inferential statistics are using sample data to (1) estimate a population parameter (such as estimating a population parameter with a confidence interval), and (2) test a hypothesis or claim about a population parameter. Methods of inferential statistics use sample data to make an inference or conclusion about a population. (Actually, the current birth rate of girls is 48.79%, but we will use 50% to keep things simple.) These results provide us with an interesting question: Given that 668 out of 726 couples had girls, can we actually support the claim that the XSORT technique is effective in increasing the probability of a girl? Do we now have an effective method of gender selection?ģ 392 Chapter 8 Hypothesis Testing 8-1 Review and Preview In Chapters 2 and 3 we used descriptive statistics when we summarized data using tools such as graphs, and statistics such as the mean and standard deviation. Under normal circumstances with no special treatment, girls occur in 50% of births. As of this writing, the MicroSort method is undergoing clinical trials, but these results are available: Among 726 couples who used the XSORT method in trying to have a baby girl, 668 couples did have baby girls, for a success rate of 92.0%. Stated simply, for a cost exceeding $3000, the Genetics & IVF Institute claims that it can increase the probability of having a baby of the gender that a couple prefers. Here is a statement from the MicroSort Web site: The Genetics & IVF Institute is offering couples the ability to increase the chance of having a child of the desired gender to reduce the probability of X-linked diseases or for family balancing. The Microsort XSORT method is designed to increase the likelihood of a baby girl, and the YSORT method is designed to increase the likelihood of a boy. The Genetics & IVF Institute developed a newer gender-selection method called MicroSort. The product cost only $49.95, but the Food and Drug Administration told the company to stop distributing Gender Choice because there was no evidence to support the claim that it was 80% reliable. In the 1980s, ProCare Industries sold a product called Gender Choice. Methods of gender selection have been around for many years. These couples may want to use a gender-selection method to increase the likelihood of having a baby girl so that none of their children inherit the disorder. For example, some couples carry X-linked recessive genes, so that a male child has a 50% chance of inheriting a serious disorder and a female child has no chance of inheriting the disorder. Others believe that limited use should be allowed for medical reasons, such as to prevent gender-specific hereditary disorders. Some people believe that use of such methods should be prohibited, regardless of the reason. J essica Collins was born on Augto the proud parents Monique and Scott Collins after MicroSort sperm separation for X-bearing (female) sperm cells and simple medical insemination.1 8-1 Review and Preview 8-2 Basics of Hypothesis Testing 8-3 Testing a Claim About a Proportion 8-4 Testing a Claim About a Mean: s Known 8-5 Testing a Claim About a Mean: s Not Known 8-6 Testing a Claim About a Standard Deviation or Variance Hypothesis Testing 390Ģ CHAPTER PROBLEM Does the MicroSort method of gender selection increase the likelihood that a baby will be a girl? Gender-selection methods are somewhat controversial. Choices we make today have serious implications for choices we will not be able to make in the future. China, thanks to its one child policy, already has a male to female ratio of 100 girls to approx. Implications for the human future? You bet. Order the pink Xsort for that little girl, or the blue Ysort for that little boy. Microsort is one the main companies now, assisting couples with ‘unbalanced’ families. You know, eat certain foods, certain times of the months and in certain positions to become pregnant with a boy or a girl. Low tech gender selection has been around for hundreds of years. Typically, this is called family balancing (and you thought it had to do with juggling multiple tasks!). Using the technologies used to help infertile couples have children, people are opting to use these technologies for the purpose of intentionally having a child of the sex of their own choosing. The whole movement of sex selection is growing.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |