Amber Knight, Ph.D. and Joshua Miller, Ph.D.
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In a little more than 30 years, prenatal genetic testing has evolved into a routine practice adopted by millions of pregnant women around the world. Still, many people question the practice, citing moral and ethical concerns and raising urgent questions about disability rights and reproductive justice. Supporters defend the technology on the grounds that genetic information about the fetus helps would-be parents make better family planning choices. In their book, Prenatal Genetic Testing, Abortion, and Disability Justice, Amber Knight, Ph.D. and Joshua Miller, Ph.D. challenge that assessment by exploring how genetic testing can actually constrain pregnant women’s options. In an effort to balance a complicated array of factors— including familial, social, and financial support they can reasonably expect to receive— prospective parents must make crucial and compelling decisions about whether or not to raise a disabled child. In an ableist society without institutional support for care work, many pregnant women may be steered toward the “choice” to terminate.
Knight and Miller will share their research about this topic, and address themes at the intersection of genetic medicine, policymaking, critical disabilities studies, and political theory, while bringing their personal perspectives to the conversation with attendees. The pair will also shift debates about reprogenetics from bioethics to political practice, while touching on theories about the neoliberal state and the eugenic technologies that support it.
Amber Knight, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at UNC Charlotte. She earned her BA from the University of California, Santa Cruz and her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her research generally focuses on contemporary democratic theory, disability theory, and feminist political thought. She has published articles in The Journal of Politics, Hypatia, and Politics, Groups, and Identities, among other outlets.
Joshua Miller, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at UNC Charlotte.
Event Facts, Parking and Accessibility
Date: Thursday, Feb. 20
Time: 5:15 p.m., with a light reception at 4:15 p.m.
Location: J. Murrey Atkins Library, Halton Room
9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223
Please note the revised time to allow people to arrive after work
Open to the public at no charge
Parking: pats.charlotte.edu; The two closest parking locations are the Cone Deck and the Union Deck adjacent to the Popp Martin Student Union. (Look for arrows on the map.) Please read about the library’s accessibility support and contact chess-events@charlotte.edu if you have an accessibility issue directly related to Personally Speaking.
Now in its 15th Season, the Personally Speaking published-expert series highlights the recent research findings of our talented faculty. Presenters have each been selected by a committee of their peers to represent a sampling of the broad interdisciplinary work being conducted within the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences. Presenters also have a knack for sharing their personal inspirations in a way that thoroughly engages their audiences—who are invited to reciprocate after the presentation. In this way, the College aims to build new connections between our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the Charlotte community. The series is a partnership of the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences with J. Murrey Atkins Library. Presentations may be recorded, but are usually not livestreamed.
