Title: Healthcare and other social aspects of genetics: a judicial perspective

Authors: Justice Ming W. Chin

Addresses: The California Supreme Court, 350 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA

Abstract: This paper discusses several scientific developments relating to genetic science, including DNA technology; gene therapy; cloning; stem cell research; pharmocogenetics; reproductive technology; and genetically modified organisms used in agriculture and environmental protection. It also identifies various social, ethical and legal issues relating to these developments, including genetic privacy; genetic discrimination in employment and insurance; gene doping in sports; commercialisation of products developed from genetic information; confidentiality, disclosure and other liability issues for physicians; rights and responsibilities regarding donated reproductive material; environmental and health concerns; and principles of criminal responsibility. It explores these issues in order to highlight both the fact that the benefits of scientific progress inevitably raise difficult and complex social problems, and society|s need to consider, discuss, and pursue solutions to these problems before they become overwhelming.

Keywords: biotechnology; DNA evidence; gene therapy; cloning; genetic discrimination; genetic privacy; genetics; reproductive science; stem cells; gene doping; healthcare technology; pharmocogenetics; genetically modified organisms; GMOs; agriculture; environmental protection; ethics; social issues; legal issues; commercialisation; confidentiality; disclosure; liability; rights; responsibilities; donated reproductive material; health concerns; criminal responsibility.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2007.013523

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2007 Vol.8 No.5, pp.549 - 570

Published online: 03 May 2007 *

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