Genetic secrets: Protecting privacy and confidentiality in the genetic era

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/656488· OSTI ID:656488

Rothstein, M A ^[1]

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1. ed.

Few developments are likely to affect human beings more profoundly in the long run than the discoveries resulting from advances in modern genetics. Although the developments in genetic technology promise to provide many additional benefits, their application to genetic screening poses ethical, social, and legal questions, many of which are rooted in issues of privacy and confidentiality. The ethical, practical, and legal ramifications of these and related questions are explored in depth. The broad range of topics includes: the privacy and confidentiality of genetic information; the challenges to privacy and confidentiality that may be projected to result from the emerging genetic technologies; the role of informed consent in protecting the confidentiality of genetic information in the clinical setting; the potential uses of genetic information by third parties; the implications of changes in the health care delivery system for privacy and confidentiality; relevant national and international developments in public policies, professional standards, and laws; recommendations; and the identification of research needs.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Houston, TX (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-95ER62116
• OSTI ID: 656488
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/62116--T1; ON: DE98003533
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
ETHICAL ASPECTS
GENETICS
LEGAL ASPECTS
PUBLIC POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS