Sex in the Future, by Robin Baker (Pan, £6.99 in UK)

Sex is changing. In the future, it will be completely separate from reproduction, according to scientist Robin Baker

Sex is changing. In the future, it will be completely separate from reproduction, according to scientist Robin Baker. Using his usual technique of a fictional scene followed by a scientific or sociological analysis, Baker envisages a world in which only the poor will rely on existing contraception, while the rich will "bank" sperm or eggs and then be "blocked" or sterilised. He predicts that men will be able to have children together, children will be created by cloning, and lone parenting will be accepted as the best way to bring them up (as a fairer system of child support develops). Although it reads like science fiction, the scary part is that some of the technological advances needed are on the way. Baker raises serious issues about where technology might take us - a brave new world is coming, but do we really want it?