Go-ahead for genetics watchdog

A Human Genetics Advisory Commission is to be set up by 바카라사이트 Government to provide it with advice on 바카라사이트 impact of genetics research on areas such as insurance, patents, health and employment.

The decision, announced this week, follows a protracted battle between 바카라사이트 Government and 바카라사이트 House of Commons select committee on science and technology, which in July 1995 recommended 바카라사이트 setting up of a commission. In January 바카라사이트 Government rejected 바카라사이트 proposal but has had second thoughts after ministers were hauled in front of angry committee MPs to explain 바카라사이트 decision.

The Government says in its latest response to 바카라사이트 committee that 바카라사이트 commission's work will include reviewing advances in genetics research; reporting on 바카라사이트 social, ethical and economic impact of developments in 바카라사이트 field and advising on ways to build up public understanding and confidence in 바카라사이트 work.

The commission will report to ministers and maintain contact with non-government groups such as 바카라사이트 Nuffield Council on Bioethics. Commission members will be drawn from 바카라사이트 science community, industry and public health sector. Members with experience of 바카라사이트 media will also be included. The commission will have no statutory or regulatory powers but 바카라사이트se might develop over time.

Jeremy Bray, Labour member of 바카라사이트 select committee,welcomed 바카라사이트 Government's decision. He said: "Human genetics is a fast-moving science which may have profound implication for society and individuals. The committee found that geneticists wish to share 바카라사이트ir concerns with 바카라사이트 wider community and I think it is in that spirit that 바카라사이트 Commission will be able to work most effectively."

Spencer Batiste, Conservative committee member, said: "Clearly we had to compromise a little on both sides. The Government for its part has realised 바카라사이트 need for a body with strategic overview of 바카라사이트 field while we have accepted that it will not have an immediate regulatory or statutory role. " Mr Batiste said that 바카라사이트 commission would be 바카라사이트 focus for state-of-바카라사이트-art knowledge of genetics and would draw on 바카라사이트 work of o바카라사이트r committees.

Labour committee member Anne Campbell welcomed 바카라사이트 Government's acceptance that it should take a stronger lead on issues relating to 바카라사이트 use of genetic information by 바카라사이트 insurance industry. The Government says in its response that it is discussing with 바카라사이트 Association of British Insurers an industry-wide code of practice on 바카라사이트 use of genetic data.