Laura Jacobs

Laura Jacobs is a PhD Candidate and Researcher at the Department of Legal Theory and Legal History, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She holds an LLM in European Law from the University of Amsterdam and an MSc in International Technology Law from VU Amsterdam. Her research focuses on legal and ethical dimensions of human germline gene editing (hgge), particularly societal decision-making frameworks. She is part of the 'DNA Dialogen' consortium advocating for inclusive public dialogue on genetic technologies.

Teaching includes courses on Law, Ethics, and Biotechnology; Law and Ethics of Reproductive Technologies; and Philosophy of Law. Key research interests include CRISPR-Cas9 technology regulation, bioethical dilemmas in genetic modification, and the role of law in balancing innovation with societal values. Her work critiques potential risks like genetic inequality and unintended consequences of germline editing.

Laura has participated in 10 professional activities including conferences on reproductive rights and heritable genome editing. She emphasizes the importance of a rule-of-law perspective in shaping ethical biotechnological policies, advocating for transparent societal deliberation to guide technological advancements.