Howard Jacobson: Designer babies could put us on a slippery slope to producing more Victoria Beckhams

Wouldn't it be nice if she could have a child genetically equipped to recognise a book?

Published: 20 August 2005

Whenever I hear the expression "designer" baby I immediately form a mental image of Victoria Beckham, she who has never knowingly read a book. Thousands of her, suddenly appearing from between the legs of disconcerted mothers in obstetric wards up and down the country. Lopped elfin nose, lips pouted in anger at what the brain cannot comprehend, bling in the belly button, and a Burberry scarf. Look, darling, our baby!

Since this cannot be what we mean by a "designer" baby, what are we so afraid is going to happen if we allow expectant parents to specify a few alterations? We are, says Tony Calland, chairman of the Welsh Council of the British Medical Association and member of the BMA's ethics committee, on a "slippery slope".

Article Length: 954 words (approx.)