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A decision by British IVF doctors to screen embryos for a couple to ensure that any baby that they have will not inherit congenital fibrosis of the extra-ocular muscles has come under fire from critics.

In a world first, the London Bridge fertility centre was given the green light to select an embryo free from the genes which cause the condition to ensure that the baby does not suffer from a severe squint.

The licence to screen the embryos was granted by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), because the father-to-be and his father inherited the condition.

However, this development has triggered a debate which has raised new fears that 'perfect' designer babies will soon be available to order. Critics argue that the use of screening for an essentially cosmetic problem is another step towards babies made to order.

Dr David King, of genetics watchdog Genetics Alert, told the Daily Mail newspaper: 'We moved from preventing children who will die young to those who might become ill in middle age. Now, we discard those who will live as long as the rest of us but are cosmetically imperfect.'

The clinic undertaking the testing has defended its decision by arguing that those with a severe squint typically need several operations without any guarantee of success.

HEFA this week insisted that each application to use the technique, called preimplantation genetic diagnosis, was considered on its merits. The fertility watchdog approved the extension of embryo gene screening to cover a wider range of diseases last May. Previously, it only permitted screening of severe inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

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