Episode details

Radio 4,02 Oct 2025,28 mins
Are embryos made from skin cells鈥痶he future of fertility treatment?
蜜芽传媒 Inside ScienceAvailable for over a year
Scientists in the US have, for the first time, made early-stage human embryos by manipulating DNA taken from people's skin cells and then fertilising them with sperm. It鈥檚 hoped the technique could overcome infertility due to old age or disease. Marnie Chesterton is joined by Dr Geraldine Jowett from the University of Cambridge and Emily Jackson from the London School of Economics to discuss the science behind the research, and the ethical and legal issues it could raise. We also look back at the life of the pioneering primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall, who died this week at the age of 91. Marnie is joined by one of the scientists she helped to inspire - the biologist Joyce Poole - to reflect on the huge legacy she leaves behind. As the European Union discusses the possibility of setting up a Europe-wide 鈥榙rone wall鈥 to protect against Russian airspace incursions, we discuss the rapid advancements in drone technology with journalist and author of the book 鈥楽warm Troopers: How Small Drones Will Conquer The World鈥, David Hambling. And Marnie is joined by journalist Caroline Steel to look through a range of this week鈥檚 most intriguing scientific breakthroughs. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producers: Clare Salisbury, Ella Hubber, Dan Welsh, Jonathan Blackwell, Tim Dodd Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Programme Website