Dr Herjeet Marway, a lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, has been appointed as the founding chairperson of the Surrogacy UK Ethics Committee.
Dr Marway will be an external, independent voice, chairing a committee that will help to ensure that Surrogacy UK and its members continue to practice UK-based altruistic surrogacy to the highest standards. One of her first tasks will be to recruit the other committee members, both from within Surrogacy UK’s membership and outside.
In this role, Dr Marway will be able to draw on her considerable experience. She is a Director of the Centre for the Study of Global Ethics, where her work spans bioethics, feminist philosophy, global ethics and the philosophy of race.
She has published on the ethics of transnational surrogacy, genetic selection, women and political violence, and feminist conceptions of autonomy. She has recently served on the Ethics Advisory Group at Birmingham Children’s Hospital (2016 - 2018) and before entering academia, Dr Marway worked as a management consultant within industry.
Dr Marway says of her appointment:
“I am delighted to be taking up Surrogacy UK’s Ethics Chair. Surrogacy UK is at the forefront of both thinking about surrogacy and guiding people through the UK’s surrogacy system. It is excellent at driving important conversations around surrogacy, and its ethos of strong relationships and trust is one I share and hope to build upon in my new role.
“I have been interested in the ethical complexities of surrogacy for many years and I am excited to be given the opportunity to use the work done within the field of philosophy and ethics to contribute at a practical level.”
Sarah Jones, Chairperson of Surrogacy UK says of Dr Marway’s appointment:
“I’m thrilled to announce Dr Marway’s appointment. She combines a deep understanding of ethics in academia with its application in the real world. We welcome her external viewpoint, which will challenge and improve our policies, procedures and decision-making. We are impressed by Dr Marway’s approach, expertise and energy and look forward to working with her
“The creation of our Ethics Committee is another step in our development as the country’s leading organisation providing information, support and a community for surrogates, intended parents and their families.”