Designer Babies, by Roger Gosden (published by Phoenix, £7.99 in UK)

Reproductive technology regularly hits the headlines, but it can be difficult to distinguish between fact and hype

Reproductive technology regularly hits the headlines, but it can be difficult to distinguish between fact and hype. Already we have post-menopausal motherhood, embryos by mail order, and cloned sheep. What's next? Set in the context of the "me generation" - who believe they have a right to a perfect baby, whenever they want it - Professor Gosden expresses concern about the gap between scientific wizardry and our understanding of the biological implications. This much-needed, easy-to-read, comprehensive look at scientific breakthroughs begins with Frankenstein, examines the current belief that science can make miracles, and ends by predicting that genetic advances will soon enable us to order a "designer baby", with the colouring and gender we choose. Ye Gods!