British conference on Family Law/Bioethics

CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008: New Directions in Biolaw and Bioethics
A CentreLGS Workshop on Monday 30 March 2009 @ Keele University

Confirmed speakers include:

Emily Jackson, London School of Economics; and Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

Julie McCandless, Oxford Brookes University and Sally Sheldon, University of Kent

Derek Morgan, University of Sheffield

Jackie Scully, University of Newcastle

Aleardo Zanghellini, Marquarie University Sydney, Australia

Following a lengthy review and consultation process the UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act finally received Royal Assent on 14 November 2008.  The new legislation makes important changes to the law governing issues such as reproductive cloning, the creation of hybrid embryos for use in research, the circumstances in which ‘saviour siblings’ may be created, and how parenthood is defined.

This CentreLGS workshop aims to provide an informed analysis of some of the key and most controversial features of the new legislation, focusing particularly on provisions governing the use and manipulation of embryos for research and reproductive purposes and revisions to definitions and understandings of legal parenthood. Leading commentators will explore these topics in the light of concepts and tropes underpinning the legislation, including reproductive choice and autonomy, dignity, human rights, the natural/unnatural dichotomy. In addition to constructive critique of the new provisions, the workshop will also provide a platform from which to consider directions for future academic research on the governance of reproductive technologies.

Please keep an eye on our website for updates on speakers and a programme (soon available): http://www.kent.ac.uk/clgs/news-and-events/hfeaWorkshop.htm

For further information about this workshop, please contact Marie Fox ([email protected]).

For registration, payment or other administrative queries, or if you a legal or health care professional interested in claiming CPD points, please contact Helen Farrell.

Places are limited and should be booked by 10th March 2009 at the latest. Please return the completed form to:

Helen Farrell, RI Law, Politics and Justice, CM1.12 Moser Research Centre, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG.

Tel:  01782 733641
Fax: 01782  734592
Email: [email protected]

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