Narratives of Consent and Reproductive Subjects

Consent is the golden principle that determines the legality of most medical treatment. However, whilst choice is the much-vaunted central tenet of maternity care, its importance emphasised in policy documents, the lived experience is often rather different, particularly in the case of individuals constructed as ‘other’. This collection brings together a range of researchers from multiple disciplines to address the issue of choice in the context of reproduction, focussing upon narratives of consent as they pertain to reproductive subjects who all too often are rendered invisible by the law, by the healthcare professionals treating them, or by society. It explores the contours of consent in England and Wales, engaging with reproductive justice by focussing upon the way in which reproductive subjects are othered, treated differently due to their skin colour, their genetic makeup, the fact that they have a serious mental illness or even those who do not want to be mothers. It presents original research, bringing together multiple perspectives in examining the way in which individuals are rendered invisible in the context of reproductive healthcare. The book will be essential reading for academics and professionals in law, nursing, medicine, midwifery, sociology, ethics and anthropology.

Samantha Halliday is Associate Professor in Biolaw at Durham Law School, Durham University, UK.

Rebecca Brione is completing a philosophy PhD at King's College London, UK. Previously she led the research programme for the charity Birthrights.

Jacqueline Nicholls is Associate Professor at the Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, UK.