This module will introduce students to t echnological developments in bioscience and reproduction which poseethical and/or regulatory challenges. Such developments include, for example, the development of abortion drugs ormitochondrial donation.
In addition, the module will explore social changes which alter legal understanding of parenthood such as the parental provision under the Human Fertilisaiton and Embryolgy Acts.
The module will examine these legislative structures and the regulatory bodies which govern reproductive technologies. In addition to examining the ethical, regulatory, social and legislative developments, the module will explore theoretical approaches which underpin the provision of reproductivemedical care and services – amongst them, reproductive liberty, relational autonomy and social justice.
As well as legal developments within the UK, this module also focuses on t he impact of European law and rulings by supra-national courts on UK law.