The ethical problems posed seem dwarf past worries such as disposal of radioactive wastes. Articles on transgenics are already looming large in the press. Biotechnology, in particular potential applications of knowledge gained from the Genome Project, raises new and profound ethical issues. Human Genome Project Applications can be for good or bad. The pace of technological development in areas of medical science is frighteningly rapid, and a close watch must be kept on these developments.
Careful thought has to be given to sort of society to which they are leading.
We need to be quite clear where the responsibilities for maintenance of ethical standards lie, and this is by no means self-evident. We need responsible bodies with trained experts and representatives of different parts of society. They should have powers to impose ethical standards on any projects where they judge them to be necessary. Governments will have move fast to ensure that legislation keeps pace with scientific progress. There are many organisations being established throughout Europe, but there is little coherence.