Entities ranging from professional organizations to legislatures and agencies have created a vast body of evolving policy to guide physicians and researchers through the maze of ethical, legal and social issues surrounding genetics and molecular medicine.
AMA Science highlights some of the most pressing policy topics here:
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Genetic discrimination in employment and insurance
Learn more about basic genetics and applied genetics
Stem cell research
Stem cells can give rise to any tissue found in the body and thus provide nearly limitless potential for medical applications (regenerative medicine).Genetic testing
Genetics testing can help patients determine the likelihood of passing on or inheriting certain disorders today.Genetic discrimination
As genetic tests become more readily available, the potential grows for discrimination against people based on their genetic information.Gene patenting
"Gene patenting" is a broad term referring to the patenting of either a process that involves isolation of DNA (where DNA refers to either DNA or associated materials such as RNA) as well as to a chemical substance related to DNA.Human participants in scientific research
A summary of reports on the federal system for institutional review boards (IRBs) and their effectiveness in protecting human research subjects along with links to other helpful resources.
Last updated:Feb 19, 2008
Content provided by: Genetics
Content provided by: Genetics