Peer Reviewed
Medicine and the Law

Genetic research: some ethical issues

Loane Skene, Paul Nisselle
Abstract
A research project being conducted in Tonga by an Australian biotech company (Autogen) has been the focus of recent press coverage. We take a look at some of the ethical issues raised.
Key Points

    Genetic research always raises ethical issues – for example, the possibility of family members being affected by knowledge gained through such research and the possibility of a person learning for the first time about the risk of a particular disease. It is therefore vital that the research be conducted with the appropriate safeguards in place and in compliance with certain ethical standards for research.

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