Designer babies. Conceptual computer artwork of human babies and two strands of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), representing designer babies. The genetic screening of human embryos for desired characteristics, such as eye colour or sex, might in theory allow parents to design" a child. Screening for certain inherited disorders is widely performed, however screening on non- medical grounds is highly controversial. DNA, the genetic material present in every cell of the body, is comprised of two spiralling strands (blue). The sequence encoded on it makes up an individual's unique genetic code."