Do Genes Matter? Families and Donor Conception
| Dates: | 22 May 2014 |
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| Times: | 18:30 - 20:30 |
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| What is it: | Evening event |
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| Organiser: | School of Social Sciences |
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| How much: | Free |
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| Who is it for: | Adults, General public |
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| Speaker: | Walter Merricks (Chair), Anneke Lucassen, Carol Smart, Erika Tranfield, Natalie Gamble |
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An evening event at University College London organised by the Progress Educational Trust (PET) and the Morgan Centre, University of Manchester. Following introductory presentations the bulk of the debate's running time will be devoted to soliciting questions and comments from the audience.
More than 35,000 children have been born in the UK as a result of donor conception since 1991. Since then, our knowledge of genetics has increased substantially, with the advent of whole genome sequencing and a better grasp of the genetic factors that can predispose people to certain medical conditions. But beyond our physical health, what does our improved understanding of genetics mean for our understanding of family?
• What does it mean to have a child through donor conception?
• What is donor conception like for the 'non-genetic' parent(s)?
• How do grandparents feel about having a grandchild who is conceived with the help of an egg, sperm or embryo donor?
• What is the role of the internet in finding donors or connecting with half-siblings?
• How many parents can a child have?
This event will explore family, kinship, gender, sexuality, assisted conception and genetics from contrasting perspectives. The event forms part of the 'Relative Strangers' project, and addresses the same themes as the Relative Strangers book written by panel speaker Professor Carol Smart together with Dr Petra Nordqvist.
Speakers
Walter Merricks (Chair)
Role: Chair of Trustees
Organisation: Donor Conception Network
Anneke Lucassen
Role: Professor of Clinical Genetics
Organisation: University of Southampton
Carol Smart
Role: Emerita Professor of Sociology
Organisation: Morgan Centre, Sociology
Erika Tranfield
Role: Director
Organisation: Pride Angel
Natalie Gamble
Role: Solicitor and Founder of Brilliant Beginnings
Organisation: Natalie Gamble Associates
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
Darwin Lecture Theatre
Darwin Building, University College London
Malet Place, Gower Street
London
