The world's first human embryo bank has been launched in the US allowing infertile couples to buy ready-made embryos matched to their requirements for around £5,000. The embryos are created from eggs and sperm from two donors who have never met. Couples can choose what eye and hair colour they would like their child to have. British women are expected to fly to the bank in Texas for treatment. Pro-lifers said the move was an "absolute commercialisation of human life." [The Daily Mail, 4 August]

At least nine babies a year in Scotland are reportedly being left permanently brain damaged by mothers who drink heavily. Official figures show that in Scotland about 60 babies over the past decade have been born with incurable foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS can cause mental retardation, facial deformities, hearing loss, abnormal growth and walking difficulties in children. [The Sunday Times, 6 August]

Daughters of women who took the DES pregnancy drug face a 40 % increased risk of developing breast cancer, US research suggests. The drug was prescribed to women to protect against miscarriage and combat morning sickness until 1975, when it was withdrawn after children suffered disorders of the reproductive system, including cancers of the vagina and low sperm counts. [Sky News, 7 August]