Bagher Larijani, Farzaneh Zahedi, Fariba Asghari,
Volume 4, Issue 0 (2-2005)
Abstract
Background: While the results of genetic research have increased our medical knowledge, promoted health and treatment of illness, some unique ethical problems arise about this type of research. Genetic information is often considered "special", or different from other kinds of medical information because of its close association with individual identity, which is due in part to the common assumption that genes are determinative of human health and characteristics. Thus there is potentially risk of harmful events genetic research participants including stigmatization or discrimination by employers and insurers. In addition, the fact that genetic information about an individual reveals information about relatives, creates new and complex ethical issues, particularly regarding privacy and confidentiality.
Methods: Given the importance of this subject, we searched PubMed, Medline and Ovid for some keywords such as "genetic research" and "ethics" during the recent decade. We compiled the article by reference to valid searched articles and some books.
Results & Conclusion: Informed consent, confidentiality, ownership of genetic information, family/cultural considerations, storage and future use of genetic samples, counseling and supervision contrivances are some respect important general ethical concerns which this paper discuss about briefly
