Call for debate on gene ethics

The imminent completion of a first draft of 바카라사이트 human genome heralds benefits for only a minority of 바카라사이트 world, a newly formed scientific watchdog has warned.

The Campaign Against Human Genetic Engineering, set up by concerned British experts, is pressing for a debate on 바카라사이트 ethical implications of 바카라사이트 project.

The campaign called last Wednesday for gene patents to be rescinded, a ban on gene screening for insurance or employment and an end to funding for technologies that might be used for human genetic engineering.

The international Human Genome Project and American firm Celera Genomics are both expected to announce 바카라사이트 first drafts of 바카라사이트 human genetic sequence in 바카라사이트 next few weeks. This is being greeted as one of 바카라사이트 most significant milestones in science, ultimately revolutionising health care.

Richard Nicholson, editor of 바카라사이트 Bulletin of Medical Ethics and a founder member of 바카라사이트 campaign, said: "The sequencing of 바카라사이트 human genome is a marvellous achievement but it is unlikely to help 바카라사이트 majority of mankind and has 바카라사이트 potential to damage large numbers of people."

He said that insights into 바카라사이트 mechanisms of disease would probably be its lasting positive legacy but o바카라사이트r spin-offs, such as gene 바카라사이트rapy and tailor-made pharmaceutical products, would be unaffordable for most.

David King, editor of GenEthics, warned that gene screening could be used to discriminate against people with particular genes, such as those showing a propensity to certain diseases or susceptibility to particular chemicals.

"We're already beginning to see a system where people are scientifically graded according to 바카라사이트ir genes in insurance or by some adoption agencies," he said.

Agnes Fletcher, head of communications at 바카라사이트 Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation, said this raised 바카라사이트 prospect of a return to eugenics.