Abortion in China

Thursday 9th Feb, 6-7pm, Room 802,

ucl.ac.uk/maps/ioe" target="_blank">Institute of Education. Health Humanities Seminar. Speaker: Cong Yali 丛亚丽 (PKU), introduced by Vivienne Lo.

Drawing from a PKU study in 2003, several general perspectives on abortion in contemporary China become clear. In contrast to perspectives in other parts of the world, the value attributed to the foetus depends on the individual judgment of parents and how its role is perceived within the constellation of the individual family. In recent times a transformation has also been taking place in sex selection and to the traditional preference for boys. Owing to changes in the family structure, and for reasons of personal liberty, more and more city residents now prefer girls. What, now, are the implications of recent policy changes permitting couples to have two children?

Cong Yali is Professor of Medical Ethics and Deputy Director of the Institute of Medical Humanities, PKU. She is one of the leading bioethicists in China and has published widely in both Chinese and international journals.

This is in Room 802 at the Institute of Education (IoE). Room 802 is on the blue side of the building - the side closest to Russell Square - you take the lift from there to the 8th floor.

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