Fertility watchdog to allow creation of ‘saviour siblings’

PARENTS of seriously ill children whose only hope of survival is the creation of a “saviour sibling” will be overjoyed at yesterday’s decision by Britain’s fertility watchdog.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) announced it has changed its policy to allow screening of embryos for purposes other than simply weeding out genetic disorders.

But the issue of so-called “designer babies” will remain controversial, with many claiming it is a slippery slope to human cloning and selection based on a baby’s sex, hair colour or intelligence.