Model your child - coming soon? The natural way of progress inevitably opens new opportunities, many of which can be deemed arguable. It is well known that medical genetics can help to select embryos of certain gender and some other characteristics. This brings us to a question: is there a chance that in the future we wil be able to "model" our children like in a computer game? Eyes - brown, hair - blond, height - ... Who of us hasn't toyed with an idea of an ideal partner - good-looking, intelligent, etc.etc. One could even go into detail having a strong visual image of a Brad Pitt or a Marilyn Monroe of his own. And now, though not a partner, but you would be able to shape your child. A tempting idea, isn't it? To my mind, the chances are that such a service will emerge in the future. From the technical point of view it is already possible. It might well be in demand, and demand invites supply. Choosing the sex of the baby will presuably be of the highest interest. For instance, there are many families having two, three or more children of the same gender. And if it were possible for them to decide on the gender of their next child and the prices didn't go into orbit, some of them would definitely grasp this opportunity. Appearance is often secondary. It can even be intriguing how the traits of the parents combine in a new person. Sex is something different. There is not much wiggle room there. Either male, or female. And when you get two, three, four, say, boys in a row, it's, well... boring. But it's sheer selfishness. Much more serious reasons for choosing the child's sex may come into play. I mean sex-linked diseases. In such cases it literally is a matter of life and death. On the other hand, in some societies one gender (usually male) is considered to be preferable as compared to the other. And it might well happen that affordable genetic manipulations could cause a demographic shift in these communities. I wouldn't like to go on about ethical issues but it is also nothing to sneeze at. And, strictly speaking, if we adhere to the principles of ethics, we should not meddle in the business of God or nature - call it as you wish. So, after all, even though we now understand the genetical mechanisms more fully and can alter them if needed, the success of creating children tailored to their parents' demands is no sure thing. As for myself, even already having two sons I will rely on tried-and-true methods of conception :)