Nature Genetics
20, 15 - 17 (1998)
doi:10.1038/1668
We're off to see the genomePhilip R. Reilly1
& David C. Page21
Shriver Center for Mental Retardation,
200 Trapelo Road, Waltham, Massachusetts
02452, USA. 2
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute,
and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts
02142, USA. We discuss some societal and legal ramifications of the human genetics
revolution. Our reflections were stimulated by discussions among scientists,
citizens and legal experts at a large public symposium. We outline key issues
regarding oversight of genetic research on human subjects, banking of DNA
data by governments and corporations, the potential impact of behavioural
genetics and effects upon racial and racist thinking. We contend that, in
some cases, well-intentioned but naive efforts to protect the rights of individuals
and groups may hurt everyone by blocking the progress of useful research.
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