Research Areas
Philosophy
Dr Mairi Levitt
Senior Lecturer
County South
Lancaster University
Bailrigg
Lancaster
United Kingdom
LA1 4YL
Email: Email Hidden
Tel: +44 1524 593596
Office hours: My office hours are Monday 3-5.
Affiliations
My research is in the field of bioethics, especially focussed on the ethical and social implications of genetics and medical technologies. I am interested in public perceptions of genetic research and technologies, including children and young people's perceptions as well as those of adults and experts. My recent research and publications include the ethics of ?making better humans', the relevance of ?criminal genes' to professional practice, children on the National DNA database and lay perceptions of nature and nurture and their role in behaviour. I am interested in the way health policy and information is communicated to publics, for example, in health promotion. My second research area, which is related to lay people's ethics and to education, is focussed on religiosity and religious education in schools.
PhD Supervision Interests
Bioethics (especially in the field of genetics)
Empirical ethics
Public understanding of science
Religion and education
Current Teaching
PPR 242 Religion and Society
PPR 356 Religion in Schools
PPR 392b Ethics and Genetics
PPR.457 Social and Ethical Issues in Human Genetics
Research Interests
Current and recent projects
2010 Perceptions of Nature and Nurture. A pilot project (Cesagen ESRC funded).
2006-07'Criminal Genes and Public Policy'. Principal Investigator (Cesagen ESRC funded project).
2006-07 'Making better humans?' Principal Investigator. Collaborative project with the North West Genetics Knowledge Park (NOWGEN) under research theme 'Ethical, legal and social dimensions of genetics'
Profile
Career details
I came to Lancaster in 2004 as Deputy Director of Cesagen, an ESRC funded research centre. Before that I was a researcher and then a lecturer at the Centre for Professional Ethics, University of Central Lancashire (1993-2004), a lecturer at the College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth (1981-93) and a course tutor for the Open University (1980-90). In the brief time between being a student and a lecturer I worked for an educational publisher.
Other activities
I am on the editorial boards of Bioethics, New Genetics and Society, Health Care Analysis and Genetics, Society and Policy. I have been a member of staff on summer schools on bioethical issues in Cluj, Wuhan and Amsterdam. My interest in engaging with the public on genetic technology and its implications has taken me to Finland and China (for the British Council), Yakutsk (with a UNESCO delegation) and to Science Festivals,schools, rotary clubs etc in the UK.
Office hours
My office hours are Monday 3-5.
2013
Genes, environment and responsibility for violent behaviour: ‘Whatever genes one has it is preferable that you are prevented from going around stabbing people’
Levitt, M. 2013 In: New Genetics and Society.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
2012
Genetics and crime
Levitt, M. 2012 In: Encyclopedia of applied ethics. Chadwick, R. (ed.). 2nd ed. ed. San Diego: Elsevier, Vol. 2, p. 462-469. 8 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary
2011
Educating the public to encourage organ donation?
Levitt, M. 03/2011 In: Organ shortage: ethics law and pragmatism. Farrell, A-M., Price, D. P. T. & Quigley, M. (eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 52-66. 15 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
Relating to participants: how close do biobanks and donors really want to be?
Levitt, M. 2011 In: Health Care Analysis. 19, 3, p. 220-230. 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
2010
Making human better and making better humans.
Levitt, M. & O'Neill, F. K. 2010 In: Genomics, Society and Policy. 6, 1, p. 1-15. 15 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Health and wealth, law and order: banking DNA against disease and crime.
Tutton, R. & Levitt, M. 2010 In: Genetic suspects: global governance of forensic DNA profiling and databasing. Hindmarsh, R. & Prainsack, B. (eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 85-104. 20 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
2009
Bioethics: an export product? Reflections on hands-on involvement in exploring the “External” validity of international bioethical declarations.
Levitt, M. & Zwart, H. 09/2009 In: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry. 6, 3, p. 367-377. 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
‘It could just be an additional test couldn’t it?’: Genetic testing for susceptibility to aggression and violence.
Levitt, M. & Pieri, E. 06/2009 In: New Genetics and Society. 28, 2, p. 189-200. 12 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
2008
Risky individuals and the politics of genetic research into aggressiveness and violence.
Pieri, E. & Levitt, M. 11/2008 In: Bioethics. 22, 9, p. 509-518. 10 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
2007
My genes made me do it? The implications of behavioural genetics for responsibility and blame
Levitt, M. & Manson, N. 2007 In: Health Care Analysis. p. 33-40. 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Forensic databases: benefits and ethical and social costs.
Levitt, M. 09/2007 In: British Medical Bulletin. 83, 1, p. 235-248. 14 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
2006
Review of 'Wrestling with behavioural genetics, science ethics and public conversations'.
Levitt, M. 05/2006 In: Genomics, Society & Policy. 2, 1, p. 132-133. 2 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Bar-coded children: an exploration of issues around the inclusion of children on the England and Wales National DNA database.
Levitt, M. & Tomasini, F. 2006 In: Genomics Society and Policy. 2, 1, p. 41-56. 16 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Perspectives on public engagement
Levitt, M. 10/2006 In: ESRC Genomics Network Newsletter. 4, p. 12.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Behavioural genetics and risk of 'criminality': Commentary.
Levitt, M. 10/2006 In: BioNews. 378
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Genetic technology: a threat to deafness?
Chadwick, R. & Levitt, M. 2006 In: Bioethics: an anthology. Kuhse, H. & Singer, P. (eds.). Malden, MA; Oxford: Blackwell, p. 137-144. 8 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
2005
Gene week: a novel way of consulting the public.
Levitt, M., Weiner, K. & Goodacre, J. 01/2005 In: Public Understanding of Science. 14, 1, p. 67-79. 13 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
A well placed trust? Public perceptions of the governance of DNA databases.
Levitt, M. & Weldon, S. 12/2005 In: Critical Public Health. 15, 4, p. 311-321. 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Ethical Issues: Overview
Levitt, M. & Williams, G. 2005 In: Encyclopedia of social measurement. Kempf-Leonard, K. (ed.). London: Elsevier, Vol. 1, p. 815-825. 11 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
Overcritical, overfriendly?: A dialogue between a sociologist and a philosopher on genetic technology and its applications.
Levitt, M. & Hayry, M. 11/2005 In: Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy. 8, 3, p. 377-383. 7 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
2004
Stimulating public debate on the ethical and social implications of the new genetics
Levitt, M., Weiner, K. & Goodacre, J. 2004 In: Engaging the World: The Use of Empirical Research in Bioethics and Regulation of Biotechnology. Holm, S. & Jonas, M. (eds.). Amsterdam: IOS Press, p. 109-118. 10 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
The Gene Shop at Manchester Airport
Levitt, M. 2004 In: Reconfiguring Nature: Issues and debates in the new genetics. Glasner, P. (ed.). Aldershot: Ashgate, p. 15-28. 14 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
Complementarity rather than integration
Levitt, M. 2004 In: Medicine, Healthcare and Philosophy. 7, 1, p. 81-83. 3 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Public databases and privat(ised) property? A UK study of perceptions of privacy in relation to population based human genetic databases.
Weldon, S. & Levitt, M. 2004 In: Blood and data. Ethical, legal and social aspects of human genetic databases. Arnson, G., Nordal, S. & Arnason, V. (eds.). Reykjavik: University of Iceland Press and Centre for Ethics, p. 181-186. 6 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
Assisted Reproduction: Managing an Unruly Technology.
Levitt, M. 03/2004 In: Health Care Analysis. 12, 1, p. 41-49. 9 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
2003
Public consultation in bioethics. What's the point of asking the public when they have neither scientific or ethical expertise?
Levitt, M. 03/2003 In: Health Care Analysis. 11, 1, p. 15-25. 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Better together? Sociological and philosophical perspectives on bioethics
Levitt, M. 2003 In: Scratching the Surface of Bioethics. Matti, H. & Takala, T. (eds.). Amsterdam: Rodopi, p. 19-27. 9 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
'Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should': young people's responses to biotechnology
Levitt, M. 2003 In: The Reordering of Nature: Theology, society, and the new genetics. Deane-Drummond, C., Grove-White, R. & Szerszynski, B. (eds.). London: T&T Clark, 368 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
Where are the Men and Boys? The Gender Imbalance in the Church of England.
Levitt, M. 2003 In: Journal of Contemporary Religion. 18, 1, p. 61-75. 15 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
2001
Let the consumer decide? The regulation of commercial genetic testing.
Levitt, M. I. 1/11/2001 In: Journal of Medical Ethics. 27, 6, p. 398-403. 6 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
'Not so wrong that we are prepared to threaten the whole service': The regulation of reproductive technologies in the UK
Levitt, M. 2001 In: Human Reproduction and Genetic Ethics. 7, 2, p. 45-51. 7 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
2000
The Gene Shop at Manchester Airport
Levitt, M. 2000 In: New Genetics & Society. 19, 1, p. 79-89. 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
1999
Genetic Technology: a threat to deafness
Chadwick, R. & Levitt, M. 1999 In: Journal of Medicine, Healthcare and Philosophy. 1, p. 1-7. 7 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
The social and cultural significance of organ transplantation
Levitt, M. 1999 In: Archives of Hellenic Medicine. 16, 3, p. 283-287. 5 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
The ethics and impact on behaviour of knowledge about one's own genome
Levitt, M. 1999 In: BMJ (British Medical Journal). 319, p. 1283-1290. 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Drawing Limits: contemporary views on biotechnology
Levitt, M. 1999 In: Journal of Beliefs & Values. 20, 1, p. 41-50. 10 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
1998
Ethical Issues in Community Health Care
Chadwick, R., Levitt, M., Chadwick, R. (ed.) & Levitt, M. (ed.) 1998 London: Arnold. 152 p.
Research output: Book/Report/Proceedings › Book
Genetic Screening and Ethics: European Perspectives
Chadwick, R., ten Have, H., Husted, J., Levitt, M., McGleenan, T., Shickle, D. & Weising, U. 1998 In: Journal of Medicine and Philosophy. 23, 3, p. 255-273. 19 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
The Gene Shop: Evaluation of a public education facility
Levitt, M. 1998
Research output: Working paper
1997
Complementarity: multidisciplinary research in bioethics
Chadwick, R. & Levitt, M. 1997 In: Bioethics Research: Policy, Methods and Strategies Proceedings of a European Conference (Roma 23-25 Nov. 1995). Gindro, S., Bracalenti, R. & Mordini, E. (eds.). Roma: European Commission, p. 73-82. 10 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
Religion in Schools
Levitt, M. & Pollard, G. 1997 In: Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics. Chadwick, R. (ed.). San Diego: Academic Press, Vol. 3, p. 809-816. 8 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
Professions in crisis: the ethical response
Chadwick, R. & Levitt, M. 1997 In: Ethics in Crisis. Scally, J. (ed.). Dublin: Veritas, p. 55-65. 11 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
Biotechnology and young citizens: Biocult in New Zealand and Japan
Levitt, M., Macer, D., Obata, H., Bezar, H. & Daniels, K. 1997 In: Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics. 7, 4, p. 111-114. 4 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
The Right to Know and the Right not to Know
Chadwick, R., Levitt, M., Shickle, D., Chadwick, R. (ed.), Levitt, M. (ed.) & Shickle, D. (ed.) 1997 Aldershot: Avebury. 101 p. (Avebury Series in Philosophy).
Research output: Book/Report/Proceedings › Book
The End of Deafness? Deaf People, Deaf Genes and Deaf Ethics
Chadwick, R. & Levitt, M. 1997 In: Deaf Worlds. 13, 2, p. 2-9. 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Natural ways are better: adolescents and the anti-obesity gene
Levitt, M. 1997 In: Science and Engineering Ethics. 3, 3, p. 305-315. 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
1996
Nursing, education and values: a sociological perspective
Levitt, M. 1996 In: Themes and Perspectives in Nursing, 2nd ed. Soothill, K., Henry, C. & Kendrick, K. (eds.). London: Chapman & Hall, p. 325-340. 16 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
Nice when they are young: Contemporary Christianity in families and schools
Levitt, M. 1996 Aldershot: Avebury. 171 p.
Research output: Book/Report/Proceedings › Book
EUROSCREEN: ethical and philosophical issues of genetic screening in Europe
Chadwick, R. & Levitt, M. 1996 In: Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London. 30, 1, p. 67-69. 3 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
1995
Cultural and social attitudes to biotechnology: analysis of the arguments with special reference to the views of young people
Levitt, M., Chadwick, R., Whitelegg, M., Häyry, H., Häyry, M. & Lunshof, J. 1995 Directorate General, Science Research and Development, EUR 18491 EN EUROPEAN COMMISSION.
Research output: Book/Report/Proceedings › Book
Higher Education and Values
Levitt, M. 1995 In: Professional Ethics and Organisational Change. Henry, C. (ed.). London: Edward Arnold, p. 67-75. 9 p.
Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings › Chapter
When Drug Treatment in the Elderly is not cost-effective: An Ethical Dilemma in an Environment of Healthcare Rationing
Chadwick, R. & Levitt, M. 1995 In: Drugs and Aging. 7, 6, p. 416-441. 26 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
'The church is very important to me'. A consideration of the relevance of Francis's "Attitude Towards Christianity" scale to the aims of Church of England aided schools
Levitt, M. 1995 In: British Journal of Religious Education. 17, 2, p. 100-107. 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
Sexual identity and religious socialisation
Levitt, M. 1995 In: British Journal of Sociology. 46, 3, p. 529-536. 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article
The Centre for Bioethics and Medical Law was officially opened in March 2007
22/11/2007
The Centre promotes high quality interdisciplinary research in bioethics and medical law across a number of disciplines within the University with a clear unifying focus upon the legal and medical dim ... Read more»