http://www.biol.tsukuba.ac.jp/~macer/SG3.html

This site is chapter #3 of Darryl Macer's book, Shaping Genes: Ethics, Law, and Science of Using New Genetic Technology in Medicine and Agriculture entitled "General Ethical Concerns." It tackles issues such as whether genetic research is "playing god" and "interfering with nature." His analysis of ethical problems considered different people conceptions of nature and its influence into genetics, from Darwinism to a comprehensive discussion of the origins of Judeo-Christian ideas about medicine and nature, to a non-interventionalist approach espousing the belief that "nature knows best." Other ethical issues discussed include concerns about reducing genetic diversity, genetic engineering, biological warfare and public perceptions of science. Surveys of public knowledge of genetic issues are included and the connection between concern about genetic research and knowledge of it is explicated. Finally, he offers insight into public inclusion in decisionmaking regarding biotechnology and particular issues related to genetic research. Thereafter, he briefly contemplates the government's role in monitoring genetic engineering. Overall this site is very thorough and gives a rather long-winded but comprehensive discussion of some important ethical considerations related to the genetics field.

http://www.biol.tsukuba.ac.jp/~macer/SG4.html

This site is chapter #4 of Darryl Macer's book Shaping Genes: Ethics, Law, and Science of Using New Genetic Technology in Medicine and Agriculture entitled "Medical Ethics, History, and Culture." Macer provides a history of medical ethics from ancient Greece to current Western Medicine. It is an interesting discussion of how concepts from the Hippocratic oath have come to pervade Western Medicine. Issues related to the Oath that are discussed in depth are medicine as a profession, the philanthropy associated with medicine and the overarching rule of medicine "first do no harm." He investigates connections between cultures and ethics over history thereby explaining the adoption of the Hippocratic Oath by Western Medicine. Finally, he considers competing ethical traditions, their differences from those espoused by Western Medicine, and briefly their origins.

http://www.biol.tsukuba.ac.jp/~macer/SG16.html

This site is chapter #16 of Darryl Macer's book Shaping Genes: Ethics, Law, and Science of Using New Genetic Technology in Medicine and Agriculture entitled "Bioethics for the Future." He discusses the future of bioethics from genethics to government regulation of biotechnology. Issues considered are broad and extend beyond genetics to the evolving concept of professionalism, beneficience, respect for human life, confidentiality issues, justice, and proportionality. Again, as in other chapters from Macer, his explanation of these and other pressing concepts in bioethics is through and comprehensive. This site is useful to those that have a vested interest in ethical issues in medicine and are interested in doing substantial reading on the subject.

http://www.who.int/ncd/hgn/hgnethic.htm

This document is not a formal publication of the World Health Organization (WHO), but it is the proposed international guidelines on ethical issues in medical genetics and genetic services. The WHO role and involvement in these ethical issues is delineated. It is a proposed position statement for the WHO and considers the proper use of genetic information, voluntary use of genetic screening and testing, prenatal testing, equitable access to services, genetic confidentiality, counseling, and education. This document discusses important ideas and issues about genetic ethics and is useful reading to anyone interested in general and international ethics and future implications regarding many of the genetic developments that are currently occurring.

http://www.unesco.org/ibc/uk/genome/projet/index.html

This is a draft of a universal declaration on the human genome by the United Nations. Proposed positions regarding human dignity and the human genome, patient rights, genetic research, the exercise of scientific activity, and solidarity and international cooperation are included. However, the UN has formatted the document as a resolution, therefore it is written as a political document without much scientific terminology.

Screening/Diagnosis Support Groups Pharmacogenetics Resources Therapy
 
what's new Social and Ethical Implications Policy & Law Education Other States