The fourth dimension

Any technology is a double-edged sword. The four-dimensional ultrasound machine, which offers an almost-real image of a fetus in the womb (reported in Tuesday's China Daily) is no exception.

It is definitely a blessing for any potential parent to be able to watch the DVD of a baby moving inside the mother's womb. It would be comforting for the would-be parents to know how healthy their babies are before delivery and have regular check-ups with this technology.

We don't know whether this new technology is superior to other diagnostic means that obstetricians use in their regular examination of pregnant women to check whether the fetuses are growing in a healthy manner. If it is, then there is a strong case for popularizing its use in more hospitals to effectively prevent newborns with defects.