The focus of this course is primarily upon ethical, social and legal aspects of reproductive medicine, with particular reference to new reproductive technologies. The first part of the course focuses mainly upon ethical issues, relating to conceptuses, and fetuses, genetic engineering, pre-natal testing, genetic discrimination and commercialization. The second part of the course looks at the legal issues associated with the regulation of reproductive technologies, with particular reference to access to assisted reproductive services, the use and disposal of gametes, surrogacy and posthumous reproduction.

By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• identify and apply major ethical theories and principles;
• apply skills of ethical reasoning and analysis to current issues in reproductive medicine and medical research;
• better understand and relate to your own moral commitments and decisions, and those of others.

You will also have:
• gained an overview of the laws regulating assisted reproduction;
• developed an awareness of the law in the social and political context in which both the law and technology have developed; and
• developed critical responses to the existing regulatory frameworks.