Making Babies in the 21st Century from FutureLearn

The topics of the course are listed below. Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more Making Babies in the 21st Century is intended for anyone interested to learn more about reproductive technology, including medical and healthcare students; clinicians and nurses working in women’s health; scientists and biotechnologists involved in reproductive medicine, and couples and individuals seeking advice and information about fertility. Healthcare professionals might find the the Certificate of Achievement for this course useful for providing evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), or commitment to their career. You can use the hashtag #FLmakingbabies to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Regulation of donor gametes (egg and sperm)
Fertility preservation (egg freezing)
Donor anonymity and parental disclosure
International surrogacy agreements, including surrogacy
Genetic testing of embryos and early in pregnancy
The prospect of human genome editing

Reviews summary

Overview of 21st century reproductive technology

According to learners, this course provides a comprehensive overview of reproductive technologies in the 21st century. Many found the course valuable, citing clear explanations and the sensitive handling of complex ethical topics like surrogacy and donor anonymity as key strengths. It is considered useful for a diverse audience, including both professionals seeking CPD and individuals seeking personal information. While the course receives a largely positive reception, some learners noted variable depth across modules, suggesting that certain areas may require additional reading for a deeper understanding. Overall, it's seen as an excellent starting point for understanding this rapidly evolving field.

Generally clear but some topics are complex.

"Clear explanations even for complex topics."

"The regulation module was a bit dry and hard to follow."

"Lectures were clear and well-presented."