2026-04-03
39 分钟Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet.
I'm producer Mia Sorrenti.
Before sex evolved on our planet, two billion years ago, all reproduction happened asexually.
So why and how did sexual reproduction evolve?
On today's episode, Dr. Li Xing-sung joins Dr. Ganesh Taylor to explore the biological advantages of sexual reproduction,
the differences between sex and gender, and the variety of ways in which our planet is populated.
Together, they discuss the fascinating, varied and complex ways reproduction happens across the natural world,
from whiptail lizards capable of immaculate conception to clownfish
and bearded dragons who regularly switch gender roles.
Let's join our host, Dr. Ganesh Taylor, now with more.
Welcome to Intelligence Squared.
I'm Dr. Ganesh Taylor, Chancellor's Fellow at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh.
Our guest today is Dr. Li Xing Sun. Distinguished research professor in behavior
and evolution at Central Washington University.
He is the author of a fascinating new book on the origin of sex,
the weird and wonderful science of how our planet is populated,
which has been described as a thrilling biological detective story.
Two billion years ago, before sex evolved on our planet, all reproduction happened asexually.
But why and how did it evolve?
So from whiptail lizards capable of immaculate conception to clownfish and bearded dragons who regularly