Almost three-quarters of people don't think women should receive IVF to help them conceive beyond their natural child bearing years, a British poll has found.
A quarter believe women should stop trying to bring babies into the world past the age of 40 while 43 should be the cut-off for men.
The survey of more than 2,000 people across the UK found 31 per cent think the current age limit of 42 for IVF on the National Health Service is too old.
Some 26 per cent said they thought 40 should be the maximum age limit for either NHS or private treatment.
Meanwhile, almost three-quarters (72 per cent) said science shouldn't intervene to help women become pregnant beyond their natural child bearing years.
Two-thirds of those surveyed said they thought children born to women aged 50 to 55 are negatively affected by having an older mother. This figure rose to 73 per cent of over-50s surveyed.
Some 52 per cent said women who are 50 can't be a good parent for a child through to adulthood.
When asked about men aged 50 and over having children, 43 per cent said the same.
The survey also revealed people's main concerns when it comes to older mothers.
Some 72 per cent said the main worry for mothers over 40 was their health during pregnancy and birth, while 68 per cent said the impact on young children when their parent dies is also a concern.
Meanwhile, 62 per cent said the health of the child owing to having an older mother was an issue.
When asked what was the ideal age for women to have their first baby, 27 was the most popular age.
The poll was released to mark the TV documentary Tina Malone: Pregnant At 50.
The actress, who stars in the British comedy-drama series Shameless, travelled to Cyprus for IVF treatment and conceived her daughter Flame with donor eggs, giving birth aged 50.
