Prenatal Testing, Disability, and the Ethical Society: Reflections Following Crowter

Prenatal Testing, Disability, and the Ethical Society: Reflections Following Crowter will address debates sparked by the Crowter case which concerned the law on abortion on the grounds of disability (R (Crowter) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care [2021] EWHC 2536 (Admin)). It will include a panel featuring Heidi Crowter and others involved in the case, as well as presentations on the law, theology, philosophy, and medical practice, and will highlight specific and broader issues relating to the case.

It will address questions such as:

• How the current law on abortion discriminates on the basis of disability, and the challenges involved in addressing this problem

• How it might be possible to both reduce discrimination on the basis of disability, and support the interests and autonomy of pregnant women

• What are the perspectives of some people living with conditions which can be detected through prenatal testing, and of their families, on the current law, and on the practice of prenatal testing

• What are the characteristics of an ethical society that can honour and respect disabled people

The conference will begin at 9:30 am on Friday, 4 March, and run all day on Friday until approximately 6:30 pm, as well as on Saturday, 5 March, from 9:30 am until 1 pm. A more detailed programme will be available later this year. It is possible to attend in person or online.

Registration for this event is free, but spaces are limited, and we ask that you register in advance in order to attend. There is an optional additional charge for meals provided at the venue.

Register here: