Recent advances enable doctors to diagnose certain diseases in the unborn child and under the new Abortion Act to terminate the pregnancy. The birth of mongols, and children with some forms of muscular dystrophy, could be greatly reduced in this way. But what if doctors discover that personality defects can also be detected in the unborn child? Would an abortion be justified? A few years ago such a claim was in fact made.

In the opinion of a leading consultant child-specialist, who introduces tonight's documentary, this new technique poses a serious ethical dilemma which cannot be left to the doctors alone. Society must share the moral responsibility.

Dr Stephen Black talks to the doctors who are conducting a pilot study in Edinburgh about the widespread implications of their work and its effects, not only on this generation, but on the whole future of Man.