Research Article: Legal and Public Policy Issues of Modern Genetics

Legal and Public Policy Issues of Modern Genetics

Although decoding the human genome heralds great potential benefits to mankind, the complexities of the issue pose legal and public policy dilemmas. Recognizing a potential problem, Congress in 1990, set aside five percent of the program's budget to resolve ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI). Emerging problems include applications of DNA technology, behavioral genetics, gene therapy, patenting practices, and the role of the court in admitting scientific evidence. What new legal issues may arise cannot be predicted.

Inheritance of behavior is hotly debated. Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911) attempted to connect human behavior and heredity by focusing on family studies. He concluded in 1907 that criminal tendencies are inherited. Scientists now realize that complex traits like behavior involve multiple genes and also include environmental factors. Headlines of a breakthrough discovery of a "fat gene" or "alcoholic gene," distort the intent of the research and may cause flawed science.

Behavioral genetics may...
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