Woman's Hour - 24/11/2008

Presented by Jane Garvey. The number of babies being born with Down's Syndrome in the UK has risen to a higher level than before pre-natal screening was widely introduced in the late 1980s. So are more women making the decision to have a Down's Syndrome baby and what are the wider implications? Jane is joined by the director of Antenatal Results and Choices Jane Fisher, the head of the Down's Syndrome Association Carol Boys, and Joanie Dimavicius from the NHS Down's Syndrome screening programme. Why are there so few so-called big idea books written by women? Jane is joined by the historian and novelist Lisa Appignanesi and the literary agent Catherine Clarke. Monday Panel: Jane is joined by writer and theatre director Paulette Randall, political journalist Alice Thomson, and historian and novelist Lisa Appignanesi. Among the issues under discussion are: why are there only two female political journalists in a top 20 poll? Does being a fat woman always mean you lose out in life? And greying hair: when it starts losing its colour, should you leave it well alone or turn to the dye? We also look ahead to key discussions coming up on Woman's Hour this week. Including drama: Aubrey's Brief Lives.