Seminar: Dr John McMillan, "Regulating Reproductive Technologies and Making Sense of Child Welfare"

Past Event

Date
04 February 2009, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Location
Lecture Theatre, Oxford Martin School
34 Broad Street (corner of Holywell and Catte Streets), Oxford, OX1 3BD

Dr John McMillan, Philosophy Department, The Hull York Medical School

Abstract: Policy makers have attempted to frame the ethical requirements that are relevant to the creation of human beings via reproductive technologies. Various reports and laws enacted in New Zealand, Canada and Britain have introduced tests for how we should weigh child welfare when using these technologies. A number of bioethicists have argued that child welfare should be interpreted as a ‘best interests’ test. I will argue that at least some of the relevant policy can be interpreted as stipulating a level of wellbeing that is consistent with those exercising their procreative liberty respecting the internal preconditions of that liberty.