Competition between the government and private industry is replacing openness and collaboration. Patenting of genes causes obstacles, and genetic testing for complex traits is sometimes available before we know if the tests are accurate or meaningful. Many individuals wonder whether genetic services will be denied to the underprivileged, as well as whether certain tests should be considered unethical and, therefore, forbidden. Although these ethical questions are complex and controversial, geneticists shouldn't avoid them, Epstein said. They shouldn't view any critique as an anti-science crusade that ought to be rejected.
People have reasons to be concerned.
To dismiss them doesn't do the science any justice, he said. All material on this website is protected by copyright. GeneSage Inc. All rights reserved. This website also contains material copyrighted by third parties.