Recent News

Case Law School Receives $773,000 NIH Grant to Develop Guidelines for Genetic Enhancement Research
www.eurekalert.org
April 26, 2006
A National Institutes of Health grant has been awarded to a Case law professor to develop guidelines for genetic enhancement research on human subjects, including consideration of the ethical, legal, and social implications of such science.
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Troubling Times for Embryo Gene Tests
Stu Hutson, New Scientist
March 15, 2006
This article addresses genetic testing of embryos for disease-causing genes and the lack of regulatory oversight that exists in the United States regarding the subject.
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Multi-million Pound UK Biobank Underway
www.eurekalert.org
March 14, 2006
A vast new medical project, the UK Biobank, is being undertaken to collect medical information on 500,000 citizen volunteers to be included in a database. The data will be used in future studies of the relationships between genetics, environment, and lifestyle in order to better understand disease.
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On the Verge of a "Designer Human" Society
tiscali.europe
February 16, 2006
A new report, Better Humans? The Politics of Enhancement and Life Extension, published by Demos and the Wellcome Trust, examines the role policy and the public must play in the debate about new technologies designed to enhance human life.
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Human Genetics Commission Report on Reproductive and Genetic Technologies
Dr. Kirsty Horsey, www.BioNews.org.uk
February 14, 2006
A new report by the U.K. Human Genetics Commission welcomed technologies to detect genetic disease in at-risk families, including pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, and noted that the creation of "designer babies" was not on the horizon. The Commission stressed that monitoring of technological progress and more long-term research was needed.
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Insurers Seek Results of Breast Cancer Tests
Ian Evans, timesonline.co.uk
February 14, 2006
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is expected to ask the government to allow insurers to inquire about the results of tests for two genetic mutations that are linked to breast and ovarian cancer. The ABI position has prompted several groups to speak out against genetic discrimination.
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Police Set for Database of "Innocent" DNA Samples
Hamish MacDonell & James Kirkup, Scotsman.com
February 7, 2006
A new Scottish rule to be signed by the Executive will allow police forces to create a database of DNA samples taken from citizens who are arrested and released or never convicted at trial. Despite demonstrated success in solving crimes in England, Scotland is the last U.K. country to approve such a program, largely because of strong opposition by the Liberal Democrats and civil liberty groups.
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Scientists: Gains May Shape Competition
Paisley Dodds, newsday.com (AP)
January 25, 2006
This article examines how genetic advancements may contribute to human competition, in terms of potential genetic discrimination and more targeted therapies derived from knowledge of the human genome. A desire to avoid another eugenics movement and questions about whether genetic enhancements actually increase happiness prompt critical response.
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States Continue to Lead in Genetic Discrimination Protections
CCH
December 22, 2005
New Mexico, New York and the District of Columbia have all made recent amendments to legislation involving genetic discrimination in employment situations. Each state has provided increased protection against the practice.
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I.B.M. to Put Genetic Data of Workers Off Limits
Steve Lohr
The New York Times
October 10, 2005
I.B.M. is announcing a new policy not to employ genetic information in hiring or benefits eligibility decisions. The corporation, which employs 300,000 persons worldwide, is the first major corporation to do so.
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Quest Deal Could Hasten Insurance Gene Screening
Ransdell Pierson
Reuters Foundation AlertNet, New York, NY
August 8, 2005
Quest Diagnostics, Inc., a leader in the medical testing arena, announced its plan to purchase LabOne, Inc., in order to provide life insurance companies with risk-assessment services. Quest presently offers a range of genetic tests; LabOne is a principal provider of the blood tests and other screenings given to life insurance applicants to evaluate their predisposition to various fatal diseases. This acquisition has led to concerns that life insurance applicants may soon be required to undergo genetic screening prior to being issued policies.
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Senate passes ban on genetic discrimination
USA Today , February 17, 2005
The senate passed legislation that would bar employers form using genetic information in hiring and firing decisions and bar insurers from using such information to deny coverage or raise premiums. The vote was 98-0. However, a similar bill that passed the Senate in 2003 never reached a vote in the House of Representatives.
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Orchid To Provide Identity DNA Testing Services For Kinsearch Registry
Press Release, Orchid Bioscience, INC., Princeton, NJ,
August 26, 2004
According to the press release, the company will now be offering genetic tests to create DNA profiles of people searching for relations in a collaboration with Kinsearch Registry. The company claims this to be the first of its kind to use genetic testing to confirm relationships and states that all will be stored in strict confidence and can be removed upon the owner’s request.
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Confidentiality of Genetic Databases Questioned by Stanford Researchers
Business Wire Online, July 8, 2004
Researchers from Stanford University have concluded that scientists exploring the genetic code do not treat patients’ genetic information with appropriate levels of concern for privacy, and it is time to protect patients from possible negative consequences of released information.
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