Ethical implications of research on the human genome

Abstract

While this week's news might be considered a leap forward for science, ethicists throughout the world are viewing this progress with more caution. Since the start of the Human Genome Project, the wider social implications of the research have been clear. Accordingly, in 1990, the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Program was established as part of the Human Genome Project. ELSI “was designed to provide a new approach to scientific research by identifying, analysing and addressing the ethical, legal, and social implications of human genetics research at the same time that the basic scientific issues are being studied. In this way, problem areas were to be identified and solutions developed before the scientific information gained is integrated into health-care practice”.