Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Genomic Medicine

Abstract

As detailed in other articles in the Genomic Medicine series, genomics has contributed greatly to our understanding of the molecular basis of disease and, to a lesser but growing extent, to the development of effective interventions. Clinicians and society at large, however, are concerned about the effect genetic knowledge will have on the well-being of individual persons and groups. Much effort is being devoted to trying to anticipate, understand, and address the ethical, legal, social, and political implications of genetics and genomics.