Calum MacKellar

Dr. Calum MacKellar serves as a Visiting Professor in bioethics at St Mary's University, London since 2010, and is a Fellow of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity. He holds editorial responsibilities as Associate Editor for The New Bioethics journal and previously directed research for the Scottish Council on Bioethics.

His academic foundation includes a Diplome d'Ingénieure from Strasbourg, France and a doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of Stuttgart, Germany.

MacKellar's research critically examines biotechnology's ethical boundaries through Christian theological frameworks, focusing on genetic engineering, embryo research, and reproductive technologies. His work consistently challenges eugenic implications in scientific advancements while emphasizing human dignity from conception. Key themes include artificial gametes, interspecies embryos, and theological perspectives on personhood.

His scholarly output reveals evolving focus from foundational eugenics critiques (2012) toward contemporary issues like gene editing (2018) and reproductive selection ethics (2021), demonstrating interdisciplinary integration of theology, philosophy, and policy analysis.

Professional recognition includes:

• Fellow of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity

He contributes to bioethics governance through service on a UK National Health Service Research Ethics Committee in Edinburgh and editorial leadership. His career trajectory spans academic teaching, international policy work with the Council of Europe, and research direction for bioethics councils, maintaining active engagement in global bioethics discourse through publications and podcast appearances.