13th International Symposium of Ethics in Perinatology - "Fetal Pain, Fetal Soul ?"

Dear all,

We are delighted to announce our 13th International Symposium of Ethics in Perinatology, entitled “Fetal Pain, Fetal ...?”, which will be held in Charleroi on Thursday 21 May 2026.

If, like us, you are an advocate for abortion rights and all fundamental women's rights, you may be wondering about the legitimacy of the issue of fetal pain. As we know, pro-life/anti-abortion lobbies seize upon and distort any scientific argument, particularly that of fetal pain.

Nevertheless, the study of the ontogenesis of nociception, pain and even consciousness in the foetus during gestation remains an essential field of scientific research. It has direct implications not only for fetal surgery but also potentially for second-trimester abortion, a procedure that must remain safe and accessible.

We invite you to come and discuss these sensitive issues openly and without taboos, with absolute respect for women's autonomy, with experts in gynaecology, neuroscience, bioethics and philosophy:

Nadja REISSLAND (Professor of Psychology, Durham University, UK)

Giandomenico IANNETTI (Professor of Neuroscience, University College London, UK; Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IT)

Yvon ENGLERT (Honorary Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ULB, co-President of the inter-university committee on TOP, BE)

Claudia PASSOS-FERREIRA (Professor of Bioethics, New York University, US)

Anna CIAUNICA (Senior Researcher, INESC-ID, Group of AI for People and Society, Instituto Superior Tecnico, University of Lisbon, PT)

Heloise ROBINSON (Lecturer in Law, St Hugh's College, University of Oxford, UK)

We look forward to seeing you there, 

Kind regards,

Serge Vanden Eijnden, Eric Cavatorta

For further information and to register, please contact Mrs Geneviève CLAES: genevieve.claes@humani.be