Horizon - Man and Science today

It takes only a few weeks for the embryo in the mother's womb to take on the recognisable features of a human being. What factors in the mother's life influence life in the womb? It is only recently that the full significance of the foetus, as a patient who can be medically cared for, has been realised. Can emotional stress on the mother permanently affect her child? Can genetic abnormalities be recognised before birth? And if so, what medical and moral decisions should be taken? One baby in twenty is born handicapped, damaged at some stage during its development in the womb. Are some of these tragedies avoidable?
The research in this programme is of fundamental importance and could change the direction of medical advance.
(Colour)