Margaret Otlowski
Biography
Professor Margaret Otlowski is focused on the relationship between the law, health and ethics. She is passionate about protecting people from harm in this era. Reviewing laws, and recommending change in light of new ethical questions is a fundamental aspect of her work.
Professor Margaret Otlowski is focused on the relationship between the law, health and ethics. She is passionate about protecting people from harm in this era. Reviewing laws, and recommending change in light of new ethical questions is a fundamental aspect of her work.
Professor Otlowski feels strongly about changing the laws in relation to euthanasia. Her PhD thesis on voluntary euthanasia was so highly regarded that it was made into a book published by Oxford University Press, Voluntary Euthanasia and the Common Law 1997.
'Euthanasia is an example of how technological developments demand a rethink of the law. I still feel passionate about it. Even genetics, a field that can help us so much, raises issues around discrimination and consent.'
Professor Otlowski has served as expert and high-level policy advisor to the government as member of the Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) and the Human Genetics Advisory Committee (HGAC), both of which are Principal Committees of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Professor Otlowski was appointed chair of the working group responsible for rewriting the chapter on genetics in the NHMRC's National Statement.