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Inheritable conditions and having children; bobsleigh skeleton; female entrepreneurs

Having a family whilst at possible risk of passing on an inheritable condition; trying out the skeleton bobsleigh; crime writer Rachel Howzell Hall; and wealthy women entrepreneurs.

The dilemma facing people who may have an inheritable condition and want to have a family. To consider the debate around this and Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis, we hear from disabled actress Julie Fernandez, who fronted the recent Radio 4 documentary Disabled And Broody, from Juliet Tizzard - Director of Strategy at the HFEA, Dr David King from Human Genetics Alert, and from Colleen Lynch of Care Fertility.

Plus skeleton bobsleigh - we meet gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold, and the daring young women at a recruiting event to encourage them to take up the sport.

American crime writer Rachel Howzell Hall talks about her debut UK novel, Land of the Shadows - the first in a series lead by a black female homicide detective.

And why are there so few wealthy women entrepreneurs? Kate Lester and Deb Leary both run their own companies and describe what it takes to be a successful female entrepreneur.

Available now

58 minutes

Chapters

  • Should you have children if it means you might pass on inherited disabilities?

    Juliet Tizzard, Dr. David King and Colleen Lynch discuss.

    Duration: 12:47

  • The Skeleton Bobsleigh Try Outs

    Olympian Lizzy Yarnold and Dr Stewart Laing at the Skeleton selection process.

    Duration: 09:45

  • Author Rachel Howzell Hall

    Rachel on her new book set in the gang lands of LA.

    Duration: 09:11

  • Women Entrepreneurs

    Kate Lester and Deb Leary on what it takes to be a successful female entrepreneur.

    Duration: 09:12

Disabled and Broody

Should you have children if it means passing on disabilities?听 That was the question that actress Julie Fernandez explored in last night鈥檚 documentary on Radio 4. She has brittle bone disease and has decided she won鈥檛 have children as they鈥檇 have a 50/50 chance of inheriting it. It was a painful choice 鈥 at odds with Julie鈥檚 strongly-felt beliefs about disability equality.听 Other disabled people decide they do want听a child who will not inherit their condition and some undergo听Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis, a type of IVF. It offers many disabled parents their only chance of having the healthy baby they long for.听 What are the rules and regulations surrounding the treatment? Is it right to eradicate certain disabilities or is technology moving too fast and too far?

Jenni talks to Juliet Tizzard the Director of Strategy at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority () who regulate treatments and clinics. Dr. David King from Human Genetics Alert and听Colleen Lynch from Care Fertility.

Olympian Lizzy Yarnold

One of the most memorable moments of this year鈥檚 Winter Olympics in Sochi was 鈥檚 gold medal in the skeleton bobsleigh event. Lizzy had only taken up the sport six years earlier, when she was selected through a talent programme run by UK Sport called Girls4Gold which identified women who had the potential to do well in the sport. Now have launched another programme 鈥 Power to Podium 鈥 which is looking for male and female athletes who are uniquely suited to take up skeleton. The selection process is underway now and reporter听Louise Adamson has been to the latest session at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre in East London.听Lizzy Yarnold was there to encourage the athletes taking part and pass on some of her experience.听Louise speaks to her and to Dr Stewart Laing of UK Sport and some of the women听hoping that one day they too might win gold.

Author Rachel Howzell Hall

Rachel Howzell Hall knows Los Angeles like the back of her hand and she wants to show a side of the city which doesn鈥檛 often make it to the silver screen. Rachel grew up in southwest LA, the backdrop for her new book, 鈥楲and of Shadows鈥. This is a place known locally as 鈥淭he Jungle鈥 where drugs and gang crime are rife. In this novel homicide detective Elouise Norton returns to her old neighbourhood to investigate the murder of a young girl. Along the way Elouise uncovers links with the unsolved disappearance of her sister 30 years ago.

Jenni talks to Rachel听about how听the book听was inspired by her own experiences of growing up in the gang lands of LA.

'Land of the Shadows' is published by Titan Books on 23 May.

Women Entrepreneurs

More than 100 women have been named on the Sunday Times Rich List of Britain鈥檚 wealthiest 1,000 people 鈥 but just two of those made their own fortunes: Tamara Mellon co-founder of Jimmy Choo Shoes, and author JK Rowling.听 So why so few?听听 Is it that women are reluctant entrepreneurs or is it that they are just not making enough money to appear on the list? Kate Lester and Deb Leary both run their own companies. They tell Jenni what it takes to be a successful听female entrepreneur.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jenni Murray
Interviewed Guest Julie Fernandez
Interviewed Guest Juliet Tizzard
Interviewed Guest David King
Interviewed Guest Colleen Lynch
Interviewed Guest Lizzy Yarnold
Interviewed Guest Rachel Howzell Hall
Interviewed Guest Kate Lester
Interviewed Guest Deb Leary
Reporter Louise Adamson
Producer Emma Wallace

Broadcast

  • Wed 21 May 2014 10:00

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