BBC Inside Science – Are embryos made from skin cells the future of fertility treatment?

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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’s 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 ‘drone wall’ to protect against Russian airspace incursions, we discuss the rapid advancements in drone technology with journalist and author of the book ‘Swarm Troopers: How Small Drones Will Conquer The World’, David Hambling.

And Marnie is joined by journalist Caroline Steel to look through a range of this week’s 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

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