Twins Freddie and Thomas Greenstreet were born two weeks ago to parents Catherine and Jim following a test, pre-implantation genetic haplotyping that screens for genetic// diseases.

The Greenstreets already have a daughter affected by cystic fibrosis (CF). Pre-implantation genetic haplotyping looks for a genetic 'fingerprint' of diseases such as CF, sickle cell disease, Huntington's disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy.

Unlike other tests it looks at the whole DNA of a cell from an embryo, rather than focusing on a specific mutation in one gene, making it quicker to spot diseases. In addition researchers also look at genetic clues for the disease in the mother and father. The presence of a particular number suggests the embryo is affected.

Both Catherine and her husband Jim, from Chiswick, carry the CF gene. The couple already have twins, Lizzie and William aged five. Lizzie has CF.

The Greenstreets' embryos were tested by doctors at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London to identify those that were unaffected by the condition. This was followed by the implantation of healthy embryos.

Catherine said: "The whole family is very excited about the arrival of Freddie and Thomas.

"At one point we didn't think that we would be able to have any more children, so it is quite something to have two healthy, happy babies."

Professor Peter Braude, head of the department of women's health at King's College and clinical director of the pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) programme said: "PGD can make an enormous difference for some families who have repeatedly miscarried, lost children through serious genetic disease, or are living with a child suffering from a serious genetic disease.

"For these couples it allows them the best chance of avoiding a serious genetic disorder being diagnosed in pregnancy and, in some cases, the need for a termination of
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