A NORTH-EAST family, whose daughter has the same bone marrow deficiency as American girl Molly Nash, are to ask doctors to help them have a test tube baby, which could save her life.

Four-year-old Simone Phillipson shares the extremely rare and life-threatening disorder that prompted Molly's parents to use genetic screening for the birth of her "designer baby" brother, Adam.

Simone's parents, Ellen and Damien, from Washington, on Wearside, were overjoyed when they heard the news about baby Adam.

They see the genetic screening that led to his birth, as their first hope in years of having a healthy second child, who could also help their daughterto lead a normal life.

Ellen, 38, an account technician said: "IVF has its risks, but now we have got the chance of having a child who is not going to have Fanconi anaemia, and there is a bonus that the child could save its sister's life.

"If I had the option I wouldn't have any qualms about doing it whatsoever.

"It is the best hope for Simone's long-term survival. It is brilliant. I was buzzing all day when I heard about Adam Nash."

The couple need the intervention of scientists because they have a one-in-four chance of any future children being born with the condition which currently only affects 24 people in the UK.

Ellen said: "Simone is healthy now. She's just started school.

"She's got a good quality of life but we know that one day that is going to stop.

"You have to enjoy yourself for today. But if you can do anything for tomorrow, like this, you have to seize the opportunity."

Scientific director Dr Kamal Ahuja, of Washington's Bupa Hospital, said he hoped Bupa would be able to offer those kinds of options soon.

He said: "We would be very happy to talk to the Phillipsons if they would like to come in and see us.

"We are aiming for something like this between our centres in the next six to 12 months."

As reported in The Northern Echo yesterday, Newcastle's International Centre for Life is confident that the medical breakthrough which saved Molly Nash could be repeated in the region next year.

l The couple at the centre of controversy over their plans to choose the sex of their baby have said they would donate any unused male embryos to childless couples.

Alan and Louise Masterton, from Monifieth, near Dundee, plan to use the new Human Rights Act in their bid to allow them to have a girl after their only daughter died in a bonfire accident last July.