Lancaster University is hosting a free public lecture that tackles a bold and rapidly emerging question about how scientific advances could one day change how humans make babies.

Taking place on Thursday, 22 January 2026 at The Dukes, Lancaster, from 6.15pm, audiences are invited to explore how advances in reproductive biotechnology could reshape human reproduction, and what this might mean for families, ethics and society.

The evening will break down the science in clear, accessible language, explaining how researchers are investigating whether eggs and sperm could one day be created from stem cells. This emerging possibility raises major ethical and legal questions, which the expert panel of academics will unpack through lively discussion and an open audience question and answer session.

Speakers include:

· Professor Stephen Wilkinson, Professor of Bioethics, Lancaster University; Principal Investigator of the Future of Human Reproduction project

· Professor Emily Jackson, Professor of Law, London School of Economics

· Professor Emma Cave, Professor of Healthcare Law and Director of the Centre for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences, Durham University

Reserve your free place by going to the TryBooking website.

There is also a thought‑provoking exhibit, serving up a glimpse into a future shaped by artificial wombs, imagined through speculative artefacts from the Museum of Human Reproduction.

Public lectures are a key part of Lancaster University’s commitment to sharing research beyond campus. They give attendees the chance to hear directly from experts through panel events, lectures and immersive performances helping to shape public understanding.

About the Future of Human Reproduction Project

Funded by Wellcome, this interdisciplinary Lancaster University project examines how new reproductive technologies could transform society. Researchers explore the ethical, legal, cultural and social challenges that may arise as science expands what is possible in human reproduction.

You can find out more on the Lancaster University website.