LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

• NCJ Number: 12951
• Journal: Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1973) Pages: 184-201
• Author(s): J G CASTEL
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: Canadian Soc of Forensic Science
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

MORAL AND LEGAL QUESTIONS RAISED BY ACTUAL OR FORESEEABLE BIOMEDICAL ADVANCES, SUCH AS GENETIC ENGINEERING, PROLONGATION OF LIFE, OR BEHAVIORAL CONTROL ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

LEGISLATION TO CONTROL OR DIRECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES IS SEEN AS ADVISABLE IN LIGHT OF THE POSSIBLE ADVANCES AND IMPACT THESE ADVANCES IN SCIENCE MAY HAVE ON MAN. QUESTIONS OF LIMITATIONS ON MEDICAL EXPERIMENTATION ON HUMAN SUBJECTS, AND FREE CONSENT IN TREATMENT AND EXPERIMENTATION ARE RAISED. THE AUTHOR DETAILS THE BENEFITS AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS SUCH PROGRESS COULD HAVE. POTENTIAL BIOMEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS DISCUSSED INCLUDE GENETIC CONTROL AND RESTRICTIONS ON PROCREATION, CLONES AND THE RIGHTS ORGANISMS PRODUCED IN THIS WAY MAY POSSESS, TRANSPLANTS, ARTIFICIAL MAINTENANCE OF LIFE, EUTHANASIA, INCREASING THE LIFE SPAN, CHEMICAL OR ELECTRICAL CONTROL OF BEHAVIOR, AND MODIFICATION OF PERSONALITY THROUGH BRAIN SURGURY. THE AUTHOR STRESSES THAT HUMAN DIGNITY AND INDIVIDUALITY MUST BE THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE WHEN CONSIDERING THE VALUE OF THESE ADVANCES.