Michael U. Braunschweig is an adjunct researcher in the URPP Human Reproduction Reloaded │ H2R at the University of Zurich.

Michael's research interests include Family ethics, conceptions of the good life, bio- and medical ethics of reproduction, Christian social ethics, religious ethics. In his current research, he examines how medical and biotechnological developments are changing the understanding of human reproduction and the relevant relationships, rights, duties, and responsibilities involved from a theological-ethical perspective.

Project: Reproductive Autonomy, Medically Assisted Reproduction and Genetic Responsibility. Genesis and validity of a bioethical discourse paradigm of social generativity from a protestant theological perspective (working title)
My current research focus on how technologies of medically assisted reproduction together with genetic diagnosis (seem to) change not only the social practices of reproduction but may also transform (gradually or categorically) the normative ontology of human reproduction. I critically assess predominant paradigms of liberal reproductive ethics („reproductive autonomy“, „liberal eugenics“, „transhumanism“) from an internal/immanent liberal perspective and from an (external) protestant theological perspective and evaluate them critically with regard to innovation potentials, but also the need for delimitation for an "ethics of reproduction" in the tradition of protestant ethics of family and kinship. In doing so, I focus in particular on questions of "genetic responsibility," that is, on whether and how techniques of medically assisted reproduction and genetic diagnostics (and, perhaps, preventive or enhancing gene editing interventions in the human germline) influence and change parental responsibility with regard to the genetic makeup of their offspring, how far this responsibility extends, and where legitimate limits to parental responsibility lie.

Education

• Dr. theol., University of Zurich (2018)
• M. Th. Theology, University of Zurich (2013)
• B. Th. Theology and Philosophy, University of Zurich (2010)

Work and research experience

• Senior Assistant to the Chair of Theological Ethics (Prof. Dr. Michael Coors), University of Zurich (2019-2021)
• Lecturer in Ethics, Pädagogische Hochschule Zürich (since 2019)
• Project manager „Reformierte im Dialog“ and Associate „Polit-Forum Bern“, Bern (2016-2020)
• Teaching Assistant Advanced Studies of Applied Ethics (since 2013)
• Assistant to the Chair of Theological Ethics (Prof. Dr. Richard Amesbury), University of Zurich (2013-2018)
• Visiting researcher, Claremont Graduate University, CA, USA (2015) 
• Fellow of Studienkolleg zu Berlin, Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, Berlin, Germany (2008-2009)