Should women over 60 be artificially impregnated with donor eggs? Is it morally right to reject umpteen embryos so one, free of a tendency to colon cancer, can be brought to term? What are the ethics of selecting a baby brother or sister to be a 'saviour sibling' who can provide vital stem cells for a sick older child? Can we use spare fertilized eggs to provide spare parts?

These were just some of the ethical dilemmas discussed by Professor John Bryant at the Cafe Scientifique event held at the Isola Bella restaurant during Devizes Festival on Wednesday evening. Cafes Scientifiques proliferate all over the country, providing the opportunity for intelligent conversation with those in the world of science. After John Bryant had sketched out a number of ethical dilemmas the audience enjoyed a pasta supper, while preparing their ammunition in the form of questions and comments. Then a spirited debate took place, covering all aspects of the subject. If it is OK for a Chicago rabbi to keep medical records and prevent marriages, or at least breeding, between people carrying the Tay Sachs gene, is that a bad thing? Where does therapy become enhancement?

Why not produce a super race of tall, healthy individuals?

Flatteringly, Professor Bryant told his Devizes audience that they had produced great questions. The only question left is why does Devizes not have a regular, monthly Cafe Scientifique.

Rosalind Ambler