#ExpertProfile
Professor Sheila McLean
University of Glasgow – Professor Emerita of Law and Ethics in Medicine
Professor Sheila McLean, OBE and Professor Emerita of Law and Ethics in Medicine at the University of Glasgow, is an Accredited Expert representing the UK on UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee.
Professor McLean established the UK’s first full Honours programme in Medical law in 1976. Following her appointment as Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow in 1985, she became a pioneer in her field – establishing the Institute of Law and Ethics in Medicine and in 1990, becoming the first International Bar Association Professor of Law and Ethics in Medicine. As an Accredited Expert for the UK National Commission for UNESCO, Shelia represents the UK government on the Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee and so advises the International Bioethics Committee – the only global forum dedicated to reflecting on bioethics.
Her research career has been distinguished and prolific with numerous books and journal articles published. She has been awarded honorary degrees by the Universities of Abertay, Dundee and Edinburgh, and Fellowships of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Royal Society of Edinburgh, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal Society of Arts. In January 2020 she was appointed an OBE in recognition of her services to health and education.
As a member and then Vice-Chairperson of UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee and the Council of Canadian Academies, Professor McLean has provided specialist advice to a range of international bodies including the Council of Europe, World Health Organisation and The Royal Society of Canada. In the UK she chaired the Department of Health review of consent provisions in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act and was specialist adviser to both the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, and a joint Committee of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
In Scotland, she was the first Chair of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, Chair of the Inquiry into the Use of Organs at Post Mortem and Chair of the Committee of Inquiry into No Fault Liability. She has been a frequent commentator in the media and has given keynote lectures in many countries around the world.
#Institution
University of Glasgow
Professor Emerita of Law and Ethics in Medicine
SINCE 1990
#Alma-Matter
University of Glasgow
LLB, MLitt, PhD.
1972 – GLASGOW
#Role at UNESCO
Representative of the UK Government on the Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee
SINCE 2006
QUOTE
“While we might reasonably welcome the
advances in medicine that research on the ‘incompetent’ may bring, in fact this rests on two assumptions, neither of which is uncontroversial. First, it assumes that it is legitimate to use people as a ‘means to an end’, often for the greater good of the rest of us; second, it assumes that medical research has actually made a difference so great that it can override any concerns we might have.”
Professor McLean, Writing on Bioethics and Human Rights
All accredited experts within our network are elected onto a specific international committee or programme within UNESCO’s framework
ROLE AT UNESCO
Professor McLean represents the UK government on the Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee which oversees and advises the International Bioethics Committee – the only global forum dedicated to reflecting on bioethics.
Institutions
University of Glasgow
Professor Emerita of Law and Ethics in Medicine, PhD, M.Litt, LLB.
SINCE 1969
Abertay University
Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws
2002
Dundee University
Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws
2002
University of Edinburgh
Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws
2002
Role at UNESCO
UK Representative on the IGBC – Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee.
SINCE 2006
COMMISSION
UKNC Representation: Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC)
ESTABLISHED 1998 – PARIS, FRANCE
The Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee meet at least once every two years to examine the advice and recommendations of the IBC. The International Bioethics Committee is a body of 36 independent experts follows progress in the life sciences and its applications in order to ensure respect for human dignity and freedom.
Publications
SELECTED PUBLISHED WORK
Read some of Sheila’s published work on our website, as well as other material, news and articles
The Ethical Dilemma of Vegetative States.
FEB 2010
#MedicalEthics
It has been suggested that one-in-five people ‘in a vegetative state’ are in fact misdiagnosed, leading to a complex ethical debate that rocked the healthcare community. Here, Sheila discusses the complexities that arise as lines between begin to blur.
Autonomy, Consent and the Law.
2009
#MedicalConsent
Professor McLean deconstructs the philosophical and legal understandings of autonomy, exploring exactly how autonomy and consent interlink – supposedly protecting the rights of patients to make their own decisions for their own reasons.
Assisted Dying: Reflections on the Need for Law Reform.
2007
#MedicalEthics
Exploring the laws surrounding assisted suicide and euthanasia, Professor McLean traces these complexities through history, shaping a wider understanding of the debates and interrogating the role of the state in euthanasia regulation.
Modern Dilemmas: Choosing Children.
2006
#Culture
With the advancement of genetics and reproductive science, technology now allows us to manipulate and regulate the process of reproduction. Here, Professor McLean explores how and why this would can be done, as well as the role that the state should be able to play in its control.
LATEST
QUOTE
“Given the fact that my subject straddled law and medicine, initially I was regarded with suspicion by both disciplines. The lawyers didn’t rate the subject and the medics seemed to think that my main aim in life was to teach aspiring lawyers how to sue them! Fortunately, that’s changed over the years.”
Professor McLean, Speaking of her career and it’s impact on the UK legal curriculum
#MoreExperts
RELATED EXPERTS
Meet the UK National Commission for UNESCO Accredited Experts
#HumanRights #SocialSciences
Professor Ivor Gaber
ACCREDITED EXPERT
#MediaFreedom
An Accredited Expert, Professor Ivor Gaber, represents the UK government on the IPDC – the UN body dedicated to supporting media and communications in developing countries.
RELATED CHAIRS
Read more about our related Chairs in Media Freedom and Journalism
Chair in Media Freedom, Journalism Safety and the Issue of Impunity at the University of Sheffield
PROFESSOR JACKIE HARRISON
#MediaFreedom
We work closely with experts and professionals in the fields of education, science, culture and communication and information from across the United Kingdom. From our Non-Executive Directors who advise the UK Government.
Chair in New Media Forms of the Book at the University of Bedfordshire
PROFESSOR ALEXIS WEEDON
#Communication
We work closely with experts and professionals in the fields of education, science, culture and communication and information from across the United Kingdom. From our Non-Executive Directors who advise the UK Government.
Chair in Informal Digital Learning in Disadvantaged and Development Contexts at the University of Wolverhampton
PROFESSOR JOHN TRAXLER
#Communication
We work closely with experts and professionals in the fields of education, science, culture and communication and information from across the United Kingdom. From our Non-Executive Directors who advise the UK Government.
FULL LIST
A global network of universities that carry out research to address pressing challenges and contribute.
*by alphabetical order
Our advisors are experts in their field who provide advice to the UK National Commission for UNESCO by reviewing applications for UNESCO designations, prizes and patronage, and contribute to other aspects of our work.
#Man&Biosphere #Science
#GlobalGeoparks #Science
#GlobalGeoparks #Science
#CreativeCity #Communication
#CreativeCity #Communication
#MemoryoftheWorld #Culture
#WorldHeritage #Culture
#WorldHeritage #Culture
#BlueShield #CulturalProtection
All our accredited experts are selected to advise the UK National Commission for UNESCO on policy matters related to UNESCO. They are approved by HM government to represent the UK in UNESCO committees, commissions and programmes.
#IHP #Science
#IPDC #Communication
#IHP #Science
#IOC #Science
#IOC #Science
#Bioethics #Social&HumanScience
#UnderwaterCulteralHeritage #Culture
#SESAME #Science
#AI #TuringCenter #Science
UNESCO Chairs are based within Institutes for Higher Education and specialise in specific research fields. They provide policy advice to the UK National Commission for UNESCO and HM government, as well as reviewing UNESCO applications.
Liaising with the UK’ Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and approved by HM government, our Non-Executive Directors help steer the direction of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, and are each responsible for overseeing a particular field of UNESCO’s work in the UK.
#Chair #HumanSciences
#Vice-Chair #Culture
#Communication&Information
#NaturalSciences
#HigherEducation
#Education
JOIN THE NETWORK
Are you interested in becoming a UNESCO UK Expert? Find out more below
EXPLORE FURTHER
Our 🎓 Accredited Experts are one of four pillars that form the structure for our 🕸️ Expert Network. Meet our 🪑 Chairs, our 🔮 Advisors, and our 🧭 Non-Executive Directors
click on the links above