Society and Genetic Information: Codes and Laws in the Genetic Era

The genetic era has given rise to significant legal dilemmas: who may own genetic data, when can a genetic test be performed on children, how can genetic-based discrimination be avoided, or to what extent and in what ways can genetic data be protected? The book addresses the social, ethical, and legal implications of collecting, storing, analyzing, and commercializing genetic information. Prominent biologists, medical doctors, lawyers, anthropologists, philosophers, sociologists, and theologians from different countries provide their views on the complex biological and social impacts of the imminent proliferation of genetic information. The authors explore the various uses and applications of genetic information, and discuss the current dilemmas of making laws in the field of genetics. Different models of national genome projects and biobanks, as well as the related international legal documents and national laws are also discussed. Various genome projects and biobanks are analyzed in detail.