NCJ Number
137887
Journal
Jurimetrics Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: special issue (Winter 1992) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1992
Length
199 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of a series of workshops convened to examine the legal issues arising out of the human genome initiative (HGI), a large-scale, multinational effort to map and sequence the human genome. The participants at these workshops outlined the empirical and analytical work necessary to this effort and developed a legal research agenda.
Abstract
The legal research agenda begins with an examination of those aspects of the science and technology of HGI-- including identifying and testing for genes, genetic blueprints and determinism, and social benefits of HGI-- relevant to the legal issues under discussion. It notes current and potential areas of misunderstanding of knowledge gained through HGI, stressing the dangers of overemphasizing biological determinism in the legal application of this knowledge. The agenda assesses legal, social, and ethical issues and continues with a detailed analysis of the specific legal issues identified in a number of substantive areas of law. These areas include reproductive rights, genotype, privacy and disclosure, insurance, employment, and intellectual property. 1 appendix