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Dr Sheetal Soni

Dr Sheetal Soni

Academic Leader: Research & Higher Degrees

Email

sonish@ukzn.ac.za

Contact +27 33 260 5383
Campus

Pietermaritzburg

Office Address

Law Building – Room 7, 1st Floor

Academic Qualifications

  • LLB (UNP)
  • LLM (UKZN)
  • PHD (UKZN)

Biography

Dr Sheetal Soni is Academic Leader for Research & Higher Degrees and a Senior Lecturer in International Law, Health Law & Bioethics, and Intellectual Property Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She holds LLB, LLM and PhD degrees and is an admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa. Her work sits at the intersection of international law, bioethics, and health law. She has consulted for the HIV/AIDS Vaccines Ethics Group (HAVEG), the AIDS and Rights Alliance of Southern Africa (ARASA), and the National Department of Health (NDoH), and contributed to the Clinical Guidelines for the Provision of Genetic Services (NDoH, 2021) and the NHREC Ethics in Health Research Guidelines (NDoH, 2024). She has served on expert panels convened by the Network of African Academies of Sciences and the Academy of Science of South Africa. Her current research develops ethico-legal frameworks for ectogestation, and examines reproductive violence as a modality of genocide and other atrocity crimes. Her latest project, Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care in Armed Conflict: Bioethical Duties and International Legal Obligations will build an international-law architecture to protect pregnant persons and newborns in conflict zones. 

 

Dr Soni is a member of the African Society of International Law, African Institute of International Law, International Law Association (SA), International Association of Bioethics, and the African Bioethics Network, and serves on the Board of ARRIGE (Association for Responsible Research & Innovation in Genome Editing). She also served on the Advisory Board of the AI & Genomics Futures project (Ada Lovelace Institute & Nuffield Council on Bioethics). She frequently presents internationally, including as an invited speaker at the U.S.–Africa Leaders Summit (2022) and at the American University of Beirut conference on Justice for Gaza, is an invited participant in the civil-society Gaza Tribunal. 

Research Interests

  • International Law – reproductive rights and the protection of vulnerable persons in conflict 
  • Health Law & Bioethics – emerging technology and reproductive technology 

Professional Qualifications

  • Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Professional Bodies

  • Member – Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Gene Therapy expert panel of the Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAf)
  • Member – Gene Editing expert panel of the Network of African Academies of Sciences (NASAC)
  • Board Member – Association for Responsible Research in Genome Editing (ARRIGE)
  • Advisory Board Member – AI and Genomic Futures
  • Member – International Association of Bioethics (IAB)
  • Member – African Bioethics Network
  • Member – South African Society of Human Genetics (SASHG)
  • Member – The Human Cell Atlas (HCA)
  • Member – Society for Law Teachers of Southern Africa
  • Member / Peace Messenger – International Women’s Peace Group of Southern Africa (UNESCO)
  • Member – The African Society of International Law
  • Member – The African Institute of International Law

Selected Publications

  • Soni, S. Safeguarding healthcare in conflict: SAMA’s suspension of relations with the Israeli Medical Association. South African Medical Journal, Vol. 115, No. 10 (2025) 
  • Soni S. Genocide as a Bioethical Crisis: Healthcare, Reproduction, and the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, Vol. 18, No. 4 (2025) 
  • Soni S. In Machina: a cursory consideration of artificial wombs and the South African ethico- legal landscape. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, Vol. 18, No. 2 (2025) 
  • Thaldar, D et al. In Defence of South Africa’s National Health Research Ethics Council Guidelines on Heritable Human Genome Editing. South African Medical Journal 115(1) 2025. 
  • Soni, S. The ICC takes action: The Gaza arrest warrants and the international obligations of states. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law 2024;18(1):e2874. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJBL.2024.v18i1.2874. 
  • Soni, S. The anatomy of a genocide – a watershed moment as international law and our common humanity hangs by a thread. (2024). South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, 17(2), e2218. 
  • Soni, S. Developments in the regulation of human heritable genome editing. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry DOI 10.1007/s11673-023-10332-w in (2024). 
  • Soni, S. Gaza and International Law. The Global Obligation to Protect Life and Health. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, Vol 16. No 3 (2023). 
  • Holness, W., Clark, B., Edgcumbe, A., Mnyongani, F., Soni, S., Shozi, B., & Thaldar, D. (2023). A “Parenting Licence” Granted by One’s Existing Children? Critical Analysis of the Judgment in Ex Parte JCR 2022 5 SA 202 (GP). Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 26, pp 1 – 14. (2023). 
  • Soni, S. The Brave New World: should we tread down the path to human germline editing? South African Journal of Bioethics and Law 15(1) 24-29 (2021). 
  • Angrist, M et al. Reactions to the National Academies/Royal Society Report on Heritable Human Genome Editing. The CRISPR Journal. October (2020). 
  • Soni, S. CRISPR and the Law: A South African Perspective. The CRISPR Journal. April (2020). 
  • Soni, S. Cautious progress towards clinical application of human gene editing. The CRISPR Journal. February (2020). 
  • Soni, S. Prêt-à-Porter Procreation: Contemplating the Ban on Preimplantation Sex Selection. The Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, Volume 22 1 – 36 (2019). 
  • Strode, A; Bhamjee, S; Soni, S & Badul C. Proposed legislation on enduring powers of attorney for health care decisions and living wills: A legal lifeboat in a sea of uncertainty? South African Journal of Bioethics and Law 22(2) 84-86 (2019). 
  • Thaldar, T, Kinderlerer, J & Soni, S. An optimistic vision for biosciences in South Africa: A response to the ASSAf report on human genetics and genomics. South African Journal of Science July/August (2019). 
  • Strode, A & Soni, S. Pre-implantation diagnosis to create ‘saviour siblings’: A critical discussion of the current and future legal frameworks in South Africa. South African Medical Journal Volume 1 (2012). 
  • Soni, S. Regulating Human Cloning – A Commonwealth Comparison. Speculum Juris, Issue 2010(2). 
  • Carnelley C. & Soni, S. A Tale of Two Mummies. Providing a womb in South Africa: Surrogacy and the legal rights of parents within the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. A brief comparative study with the United Kingdom. Speculum Juris, Issue 2008(2).Soni, S.  

Selected Conference Presentations and Speaking Events 

  • Simulating Life, Challenging the Law: The Complexity of Regulating Human Embryo Models. 116th Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference 2025, University of Leeds, UK (2025) 
  • Birth Under Fire: Reproductive Violence in the Context of Genocide. 115th Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference 2024, University of Bristol, UK. (2024) 
  • Justice for Gaza: The Role of International Law in Protecting Health, Education, And Civil Society Amidst Conflict. Invited Speaker. American University of Beirut and Gaza Health Initiative (2024) 
  • Bringing Mammoths Back to Life: An Ethico-Legal Analysis of Species De-extinction. World Congress of Bioethics 2024, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar.(2024) 
  • ‘Taking up the International Court of Justice Decision on South Africa’s Provisional Measures Request’ UKZN School of Law, International and Comparative Law Cluster – La Trobe University Center for International and Public Law (Australian National University), Institute for International law and Humanities (University of Melbourne). Invited Panellist (2024) 
  • International Symposium: International Law and the Question of Palestine. UKZN School of Law and the Navi Pillay Research Interest Group. Invited Panellist and Facilitator (2024) 
  • Guidelines for Human Genome Editing in Southern Africa. Science Forum South Africa 2023. Panellist (2023) 
  • US FDA Pediatric Advisory Committee (PAC) special meeting to discuss the appropriate development plans for establishing safety and effectiveness of artificial womb technology (AWT) devices, including regulatory and ethical considerations for first in human (FIH) studies. Participant (2023) 
  • Online Roundtable ‘Advancements in reproductive care and technology: perspectives from equality law’ Petrie-Flom Center for Health at Harvard Law and E&L Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard & Durham CELLS, Max Planck Institute, Frankfurt. Invited Participant (2023) 
  • Challenges and opportunities for human rights in the postgenomic era. Science at the U.S-Africa Leader’s Summit Invited Speaker (2023) 
  • Gene Editing: Theory and Practice (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, TReND in Africa and GeneConvene Global Collaborative-FNIH) on ethical and legal considerations of human genome editing. Invited Speaker (2022) 
  • Rewriting Reproduction: Ectogenesis and the Law. The Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, King’s College, London U.K (2022) 
  • Healthy Life Extension Life Society online conference “CRISPR, Enhancement and Longevity. Is The Treaty of Oviedo Nocive for Collective Health And Against The 1948 Constitution Of The WHO?”, on the topic of Oviedo and the Right to Health. Invited Speaker (2022) 
  • Human Genome Editing – ethical and legal issues. 6th Annual Reproductive Ethics Conference. University of Texas Medical Branch (2022) 

Other Publications and Reports

  • Predicting: The future of health? Assessing the potential, risks and appropriate role of AI-powered genomic health prediction in the UK health system. Contributor (as Advisory Board Member on the AI & Genomics Futures project) (Nuffield Council on Bioethics & Ada Lovelace Institute (2024).  
  • NHREC South African Ethics in Health Research Guidelines: Principles, Processes and Structures 2024, 3rd ed. Contributor (NDoH 2024).  
  • Thaldar, T & Soni, S. Do no harm. The ethics of using AI in health-care research. Sunday Times. November 19 (2023).  
  • Soni, S. Access to Reproductive Technology May Be Impeded by Workplace Law and Policy in South Africa. Reproductive Technologies and Workplace Equality Symposium. Bill of Health. The Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School (2023).  
  • National Department of Health Clinical Guidelines for the Provision of Genetic Services. Contributor (NDoH, 2021).  
  • Soni, S & Savulescu, J. Embryonic screening using polygenic risk scores: legal and ethical implications. The Hastings Centre Bioethics Forum October (2021).  
  • Soni, S. WHO guidelines on human genome editing: why countries need to follow them. The Conversation August (2021).  
  • Soni, S. Limits for embryo research have been changed: this calls for public debate. The Conversation June (2021).  
  • Soni, S & Baylis, F. Human Embryo Research Beyond 14 Days? International Perspectives. The Hastings Centre Bioethics Forum June (2021).  
  • Soni, S. The Legal Framework for Preimplantation Genetic Testing in South Africa. Next Biosciences News May (2020).  
  • Soni, S. COVID-19 and gene editing: ethical and legal considerations. The Conversation May (2020).  
  • Soni, S. Human gene editing: who decides the rules? The Conversation January (2020).  
  • Soni. S. Ethics of gene editing must be decided by each one of us. The Mail & Guardian January (2020).  
  • Soni, S. Yes, edit our genes – but do it cautiously. The Mail & Guardian November (2019).  
  • Soni, S. NIPT – What does the law say? Next Biosciences News (2019).  
  • Soni, S. Q & A: Can I select my baby’s gender? Your Pregnancy August/September (2018).  
  • Soni S. Am I my sister’s keeper? The new assisted reproductive technologies and the law. Natal Witness (2010)