Leading international scholar in medical law and ethics Associate Professor Colin Gavaghan will be the first New Zealand Law Foundation-sponsored Director in Emerging Technologies at the University of Otago Faculty of Law.

Dr Gavaghan, who until now has held the position of Lecturer in Medical Law and Ethics at the University of Glasgow's School of Law, will head the newly-established Centre for Law and Policy in Emerging Technologies, the only New Zealand-based research centre that will examine the legal, ethical and policy issues around new technologies. These include biotechnology, nanotechnology, alternative bio-energy, information and communication technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence.

The position was established under the University of Otago's Leading Thinkers Initiative, supported by an endowment from the Law Foundation.

Vice-Chancellor Professor David Skegg says the University is pleased to appoint someone of Dr Gavaghan's calibre as the new Director.

"Much of Dr Gavaghan's research and teaching has revolved around medical law and ethics, which is a key focus for the Centre and an area where Otago has provided leadership.

"We are very grateful for the New Zealand Law Foundation's generous support for the new Director and Centre. The Centre will bring legal and ethical perspectives to the evaluation of emerging technologies in what is an age of rapid scientific development."

Dr Gavaghan's PhD examined the legal and ethical implications of embryo screening. His book, Defending the Genetic Supermarket: The Law and Ethics of Selecting the Next Generation, was published last year. He has written numerous articles and chapters dealing with genetic and reproductive technologies, end-of-life choices, dangerous patients and alcohol advice to pregnant women.