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CI
An influential bioethicist has said laws which currently allow unborn babies to be aborted on the basis of disability are “incompatible” with the “very basis of a civilised and inclusive society”.
Dr Calum MacKellar, Director of Research for the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics, made his comments in light of Heidi Crowter and Máire Lea-Wilson’s upcoming High Court case challenging the law on abortion concerning disability.
In the UK, abortion is permitted up to 24 weeks for most reasons – but is available up to birth for children deemed to have a disability. This has been used to justify abortion for conditions such as Down’s syndrome and cleft palate.
UCL apologises for promoting eugenics
UCL apologises for promoting eugenics
15 Jan 2021
ucl.ac.uk
University College London (UCL) has apologised for its “fundamental role” in the development of eugenic beliefs and practices.
Following an independent inquiry into the history of eugenics at UCL, the institution expressed “deep regret” for ‘legitimising’ the harmful ideology.
Eugenicists associated with UCL include Sir Francis Galton – who coined the term ‘eugenics’ and funded its first Chair of Eugenics – and former student Marie Stopes.
Still causing harm
President and Provost Professor Michael Arthur, speaking on behalf of UCL, acknowledged the university’s part in developing and propagating the “spurious idea that varieties of human life could be assigned different value”.