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Genetics and Health

May 7th, 2008

Genetic Ethics - testing and storing our kids’ DNA

 
Scientists and policy developers at the Translating ELSI, Ethical Legal Social Implications of Human Genetics Research conference have been mulling over the myriad of ethical arguments over testing and storing our kids’ DNA.
The biggest driver for the advancement of genetic testing is the ‘early detection improves outcomes’ argument and if an individual is found to be at […]

By Elaine -- 1 comment

May 7th, 2008

Genetic testing ethics - consent forms becoming incomprehensible

Following my recent article on ethical guidelines for informed consent in genomic studies, a group of scientists met at the Translating ESLI conference in Cleveland to debate this whole ethical argument. This issue is particularly critical for genome-wide association studies and in establishing and using large biobanks.
It was universally acknowledged that consent forms are difficult to read for […]

By Elaine -- 0 comments

March 26th, 2008

GINA - Doctors side with legislation

Following my article on GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act), the influential doctors’ group, the American College of Physicians (ACP), wants the GINA to become law.
The ACP does not directly address the concerns of employers or health insurance companies, but sides with the GINA supporters on individual rights to insurance protections. The ACP agrees that insurance providers […]

By Elaine -- 1 comment

March 7th, 2008

US House of Representatives passes mental health genetic discrimination protection

A broadly supported piece of legislation drafted to protect Americans from genetic discrimination in the workplace and by health insurance companies has passed in the US House of Representatives.
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) passed in the House provides for equity of health insurance coverage for mental disorders and substance abuse-related disorders.
“Given that most mental […]

By Elaine -- 0 comments

February 24th, 2008

Getting inside the head of Leon Kass, George W Bush’s bioethics advisor

 
Leon Kass served as chairman of the bioethics council charged with advising US President George W. Bush on many “hot” bioscience issues such as stem cell research and cloning.
Noted for his frankness and pretty much misogynistic ideals, once you cut through all this, his arguments do make some sense.  For example:
“There’s a large cultural bias toward progress, […]

By Elaine -- 0 comments