Legal & Ethical Implications of Human Genome Project
Chapter 9 of Science Technology and Law: Contemporary Issues in Biotechnology, GNLU, 2016
20 Pages Posted: 25 Sep 2016
Date Written: February 22, 2015
Abstract
The human genome is considered to be the map of human and contains the complete genetic inheritance of a human organism. In 1990 the International Human Genome Project was launched with the purpose of mapping and sequencing the human genome. This scientific research is probably the biggest biological research yet attempted. Because of the release of the genome sequence data found by the project, many studies have begun to understand disease genes in humans. HGP gave some important perspectives to right to life, healthcare and bioethics.
This paper is not just a scientific research paper but an interdisciplinary paper which will deal not only the scientific and technical progress in the fields of biology and genetics. But, other emerging issues too, after the HGP, were brought to the world scenario. The legal and social issues which were developed subsequent to this project are discussed here. Some of the legal aspect related to the project like legislations passed by various countries and the adoption of two declarations by UNESCO, namely, Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights, 1997 and International Declaration on Human Genetic Data, 2003. Finally, the social aspect of the project would concentrate on bioethics and issues related to human dignity.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation