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Relatively (im)material? Mitochondrial DNA and genetic relatedness in legal discourse
No full textMitochondrial donation poses the latest regulatory challenge for policy-makers in the context of assisted conception. In 2012 the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are consulting on ethical issues raised by this technique; including the potential relationships created by the use of three parties’ genetic material and the associated ramifications (eg whether or not there is a need to establish records of such donations and, if so, to whom should information be provided?) Hence, this technique poses both novel and familiar questions about ‘the genetic family’. This paper will explore the construction of the relative (in)significance of mitochondrial DNA in recent parliamentary debates, and current policy and consultation documents, in order to reflect on the ways in which the role of genetic connections – or lack thereof – are mediated in legal discourse and policy formation
Changing conceptions of welfare
No full textIn this article I consider the changing conceptualisation(s) of child welfare, with specific consideration of the value judgements present in Anglo-Welsh legal discourse and policy on/around assisted conception, particularly donor conception, since the inception of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (HFEA 1990). I begin with a brief historical introduction to the inclusion of a welfare ground in the HFEA 1990, and continue by tracking the shift from concern over ‘the family’ norm to notions of children’s rights and interests in their identity. <br/
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