Dominic Wilkinson and Julian Savulescu

Experts in medical ethics Professors Dominic Wilson and Julian Savulescu look at what should happen when doctors and parents disagree about what is best for a child. When should courts get involved and should life support be stopped against parents’ wishes? The audience will have a chance to vote with their mobile phones in this interactive event.

The case of Charlie Gard in 2017 gained worldwide attention and led to widespread debate about what role the law had to play in disputes between parents and doctors. Wilkinson and Savulescu explain the ethical questions at the heart of the debate and look at some prominent cases at home and abroad.

Wilkinson is director of medical ethics, Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, and consultant neonatologist at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Savulescu is Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics and director, Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics.