大象传媒

Ovarian tissue ages faster than any other part of the body. Because of this, lots of ground-breaking anti-aging research tends to start with the ovaries. There are lots of studies underway right now exploring various ways to stop, pause, push-back or even eradicate the menopause completely.

Is this viable? Ethical? Is it even a good idea?

Science and tech journalist Lara Lewington is fascinated by bio-hacking, and pushing back the boundaries of what's possible for humans. She explores the ongoing studies, and finds out what the future holds for reproductive medicine.

This invites lots of questions about the effect on aging parents, and the knock on effects on society of indefinitely prolonged parenthood. However this is already a reality for men, would it be so bad to extend it for women too? Is the menopause a desperately unfair biological hurdle to overcome, or a safety check on reproduction that we should be wary of meddling with?

Featuring:
Dr Jennifer Garrison, Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Dr Daisy Robinton, Oviva Therapeutics
Professor Simon Fishel, ProFam
Dr Zev Williams, Columbia University

Presented by Lara Lewington
Produced by Emily Knight