Distinguished ProfessorIsabel Karpin

Isabel is currently involved in a major research project in the area of reproductive technology, and commercialisation:

* NHMRC Ideas Grant APP 1181 401 "Addressing Commercial Influences on Assisted Reproductive Technology".

This project aims to address the question: how should commercial influences on assisted reproductive technologies (ART) be managed? While concerns have been raised about commercial issues such as the costs of ART, and the ways in which services are marketed and delivered, only minimal guidance is available as to how commercial forces should be managed. This project willl develop guidance and a set of practical resources for the management of commercial influences over ART.

Recently completed ARC Discovery Grants include:

* "Regulating Relations: Forming Families Inside and Outside Law's Reach" 2015-2019 (with Jenni Millbank and Anita Stuhmcke). For further information on this research, visit: www.regulatingrelations.com

'Regulating Relations: Forming Families Inside and Outside Law’s Reach’ – a major 4 year project (2015-2018) exploring the Australian experience of cross border reproductive treatment, looking particularly at surrogacy, egg donation and sex selection. The research is funded by an ARC Discovery grant and is taking place with colleagues Jenni Millbank and Anita Stuhmcke.

* "The Legal Regulation of Behaviour as a Disability" (with Dr Karen O'Connell) (2015-2018). bioinequalities.com

People who exhibit socially challenging behaviour are increasingly defined in law as having a disability. This project addresses the problem of how law should respond to this growing cohort, a problem that becomes more acute as advances in genetics and the brain sciences expand the set of socially unacceptable behaviours that are identified as biologically based. Using detailed case studies of the regulation of genetic screening of embryos for disability and the application of disability discrimination law to behavioural traits, this project will determine how, if at all, law should regulate variant personality and behaviour.

*"The legal meaning of "serious disability" in prenatal and neonatal decision-making" 2009-2011 (with Kristin Savell)

* "Enhancing Reproductive Opportunity in Australia: Reconsidering Consent, Altruism and the Legal Status of Embryos" 2009-2011 (with Jenni Millbank and Anita Stuhmcke).