International Legal Approaches to the Issue of Admissibility of the Use of Genomic Technologies in Medicine

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to determine the main international standards and positions of international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations regarding the use of genomic technologies in medicine, which are reflected in their documents. At the universal level, there is no international treaty containing uniform rules in this area, but there are many documents of international organizations (such as WHO, UNESCO) that set out the relevant standards. At the regional level, the experience of the Council of Europe in the field of legal regulation of genomic medicine plays a significant role. National approaches to the legal regulation of genomic medicine vary. In such conditions, the practice of international non-governmental organizations in the field of biomedicine and genetic technologies plays a significant role. They set standards and represent the positions of the biomedical community.Based on the analysis of international acts, it can be concluded that the general position of the international biomedical community is that genome editing technologies can be widely used for therapeutic and scientific purposes, provided that there is no criterion for transmitting genes to descendants. Genome editing should be carried out in accordance with international professional and ethical standards, including the principles of benefit over harm and informed consent. Discussions about the admissibility of hereditary genome editing continue. The prevailing approach of international organizations is that there are currently no reasonable standards for the safety and effectiveness of this technology, while research itself is encouraged.