Emerging Technologies

Director in Emerging Technologies named

Tuesday, 1 December 2009

Leading international scholar in medical law and ethics Associate Professor Colin Gavaghan will be the first New Zealand Law Foundation–sponsored Director in Emerging Technologies at the University of Otago Faculty of Law.

Dr Gavaghan, who until now has held the position of Lecturer in Medical Law and Ethics at the University of Glasgow's School of Law, will head the newly-established Centre for Law and Policy in Emerging Technologies, the only New Zealand-based research centre that will examine the legal, ethical and policy issues around new technologies. These include biotechnology, nanotechnology, alternative bio-energy, information and communication technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence.

The position was established under the University of Otago's Leading Thinkers Initiative, supported by an endowment from the Law Foundation.

Vice-Chancellor Professor David Skegg says the University is pleased to appoint someone of Dr Gavaghan's calibre as the new Director.

"Much of Dr Gavaghan's research and teaching has revolved around medical law and ethics, which is a key focus for the Centre and an area where Otago has provided leadership.

"We are very grateful for the New Zealand Law Foundation's generous support for the new Director and Centre. The Centre will bring legal and ethical perspectives to the evaluation of emerging technologies in what is an age of rapid scientific development."

Dr Gavaghan's PhD examined the legal and ethical implications of embryo screening. His book, Defending the Genetic Supermarket: The Law and Ethics of Selecting the Next Generation, was published last year. He has written numerous articles and chapters dealing with genetic and reproductive technologies, end-of-life choices, dangerous patients and alcohol advice to pregnant women.

New Zealand Law Foundation Chair Warwick Deuchrass says the Foundation is delighted with the appointment and the knowledge and skills Dr Gavaghan will bring.

"The Law Foundation supports research into the legal issues associated with changing public policies, technologies and practices in New Zealand. It is important that we fully understand the potential effects of emerging technologies on all aspects of life, from law and politics to ethical, social and cultural values.

"The Foundation made this endowment to establish a framework for the systematic and comprehensive evaluation of emerging technologies, and to build New Zealand's legal and policy capability in these developing areas. Dr Gavaghan and the Centre for Law and Policy in Emerging Technologies will provide that."

Law Faculty Dean Professor Mark Henaghan says Dr Gavaghan will be a welcome addition to the faculty and New Zealand's debate as it develops its legal, ethical and policy responses to emerging technologies.

"New Zealand likes to talk about the importance of the knowledge economy and using new technology, but as it travels down that path there is analysis that must be done and issues that must be debated. That is where the new Centre will have a leading role to play in providing well-considered, research-based answers.

"Dr Gavaghan's background provides an ideal fit for the Director in Emerging Technologies and the challenges it will bring."

For further information contact

Prof Mark Henaghan
Dean, University of Otago Law Faculty
Tel 64 3 479 8856

NZ Law Foundation contact:
Brad Tattersfield
Communications Advisor

The New Zealand Law Foundation, Otago Law Faculty, and the Otago University's Leading Thinkers Initiative

celebrate

the endowment of the NZLF Chair in Emerging Technologies

The announcement was be made in Wellington on Thursday, 30 August 2007

Otago tackles legal challenges of new technology

The University of Otago is confronting the legal challenges thrown up by new technology, thanks to the New Zealand Law Foundation.

An endowment has created the New Zealand Law Foundation Chair in Emerging Technologies to lead research and public discussion.  The Chair is based in the Law Faculty at Otago University but will draw on national and international multi-disciplinary expertise. As part of the University of Otago’s Leading Thinkers Initiative, the Foundation’s endowment attracted further government funds.

In a first for New Zealand, the new Chair will guide projects tackling legal issues, regulations and policies that face upheaval because of fast paced developments in technology.

The Chair will lead the Centre for Law and Policy in Emerging Technologies guiding research that looks into the future and scans the horizon for emerging technologies that are likely to create significant changes and raise potential anxiety in society.

Research will broaden from biotechnology to other emerging technologies including nanotechnology, alternative bio energy, information and communications technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence (cognitive science.)

The Centre will also carry out research on regulatory issues in the area of human genomics that are being pursued with great interest overseas, such as bio banking and direct-to-consumer advertising and testing of genomic technologies.

The endowment builds on the successful Human Genome Research Project being carried out at Otago, also sponsored by the Law Foundation.

New Zealand Law Foundation Chair, James Johnston said:  “The Law Foundation is delighted to continue this far-sighted work with the University of Otago to ensure New Zealand is well positioned to meet the legal and ethical challenges arising from emerging technologies.

“Technologies emerge into a complex world of diverse ethical values, legal systems, political structures, cultural practices, social customs and economic considerations.  Legal and policy decisions about these technologies have a cascade effect, influencing the individual and societies, domestic and international relationships and the environment.

“The Law Foundation endowment will ensure that emerging technologies are systematically and comprehensively studied, monitored and reflected upon. This will engender considered debate and inform the development of New Zealand’s regulatory and societal response.”

University of Otago Faculty of Law Dean Professor Mark Henaghan says New Zealand’s commitment to becoming a leading player in the knowledge society makes this Chair highly relevant. “It is vital that, as we develop new technologies, their impact has been ethically and legally analysed to ensure that they bring maximum benefit to our society and minimal harm.”