Regulating Non-Existence The Legal Conceptualisation of the Future Child in the Regulation of Reproduction

Advances in reproductive biotechnology increase control over who is born and under what circumstances. Consequently, the question arises: what do we owe to the future children who are born with the help of these technologies? To address this question, we must understand how we should approach the future child. This conceptualisation is complicated by two factors: first, the future, unconceived child only exists as a legal construct. Second, protecting its interests often implies that the child itself is prevented from coming into existence.

This book explores the current conceptualisation of the future child in three legal systems. It assesses whether speaking of the ‘interests of the future child’ is a tenable approach to this unique entity. By doing so, it explores various themes, such as human dignity, the non-identity problem, legal personhood and interests. In addition, the book elaborates on an alternative approach to understanding the future child.

Regulating Non-Existence offers an important contribution to ongoing discussions in the field of legal theory, biolaw and bioethics. This book is relevant for scholars and decision-makers grappling with the question of what we owe to the future child in the context of reproductive issues.

Lisette ten Haaf is assistant professor in legal theory at Utrecht University. She completed her master legal theory (including the honours track) at Utrecht University and her PhD at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. During her PhD research, she was a visiting researcher as Universität Bonn and the University of Kent. Her research focuses on the legal position and protection of future and unborn life, and her work has been published in national and international journals.  

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.