Abstract

The authors examine the two main attitudes toward genetics: Exceptionalism and Undervaluation. They firstly pose the basis of the matter from the scientific point of view and then verify how these two attitudes really work in the different fields where human genetics finds relevant applications, dealing with the questions arising from the unique characteristics of genetic data that is shared among the whole bio-group. Then some judicial cases related to the conflicts arising when genetic data are stored in repositories, whatever the aims and reasons, are presented and discussed. The matter is then considered from the criminal law perspective, in the light of the new possible implications of DNA fingerprinting in criminal investigations. Finally, some general considerations on opposing Exceptionalism/Undervaluation viewpoints and the real reason for making up new rules are presented.

Authors

Sellaroli V, Cucca F, Santosuosso A

Institution

European Centre for Life Sciences, Health and the Courts, University of Pavia, Italy.

Source

Revista de derecho y genoma humano = Law and the human genome review / Cátedra de Derecho y Genoma Humano/Fundación BBV-Diputación Foral de Bizkaia :26 pg 193-231

MeSH

Adult
Crime
DNA Fingerprinting
Databases, Genetic
Female
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Genetic Privacy
Genetic Testing
Human Rights
Humans
Male
Medical Records
Pregnancy

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

18201042