Birth of a new era

ASSISTED reproduction is revolutionising family life in the west: it is now possible to give birth to a child that is not genetically yours. As a result multiple birth rates have skyrocketed, and this is partly responsible for an increase in US infant mortality rates. In this fascinating and well-researched book Liza Mundy, who writes for The Washington Post, brings such hard facts to life through interviews with parents, would-be parents and doctors, as well as dealing with thorny issues like the “selective reduction” of multiple fetuses.