The role of genetic disposition in human health and disease — bioethical aspects of DNA testing

Abstract

The aim of the Human Genome Project, an international collaborativeeffort currently in progress, is to identify and catalogue all humangenes and to identify the underlying DNA nucleotide sequences. Itprovides a basis for determining how genes give rise to human diseases,thus opening up new approaches to their cure and prevention. Theefforts to map the human genome present no inherent ethical problemsbut are eminently worthwhile, particularly since the knowledge theyprovide will be universally applicable for the benefit of human health.In terms of ethics and human values, it must be ensured that themethods used in gene mapping adhere to the high standards of researchethics and that the knowledge gained will be used in an appropriatemanner and only for the benefit of the persons tested. This presentsa substantial challenge to the medical geneticist. Interdisciplinarydiscussions on expectations and misgivings provide him with a uniqueopportunity to broaden his own understanding of important conceptssuch as human individuality, Family bonds or health and disease.