A Xenopus laevis (the African clawed frog) embryo model is provided to study the effects of alcohol on fetal development. Exposure of Xenopus embryos in specific developmental stages to alcohol results in tadpoles with microencephaly and growth retardation, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, similar to those observed in human fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The invention further provides methods for screening an agent to determine its usefulness for preventing or treating FAS. Moreover, the invention provides methods for preventing or treating FAS in an animal by administering an agent, such an agent includes vitamin C and a catalase, which causes or enhances an expression of Pax6 that is a neural and eye marker. In addition, the invention provides methods for preventing or treating FAS by administering an agent, such as vitamin C, which causes suppression of NF-.kappa.B activation.