THE HUMAN GENOME PROJECT: ETHICAL AND LEGAL CHALLENGES IN HUMAN SOCIETIES

Abstract

The Human Genome Project is the biggest scientific project in human history and a major factor in changing the world-view of human societies. The results of this scientific project has lead to the discovery of genetic make-up of human and other organisms (Viruses, Bacteria, Plants, Animals). In experimental sciences, these discoveries have had a significant impact and have influenced fields such as law, philosophy and psychology. Due to the significance of the issue, many scientific and research centers in the fields of human sciences have studied the consequences of using the new genomic sciences, especially in the fields of law and ethics. The world experts in ethics and law collectively believe that the power of genetics and genomics technologies in early detection before birth, gender selection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases before birth and during life, enhancement of life in the present generation and future generations, delaying death, privacy of genetic information of individuals and their relatives, forecasting diseases and potentials in physical and non-physical realms have the potential to change the foundations of many ethical and legal foundations that human societies have known as facts throughout history. Please cite this article as: Motevally Zadeh Ardekani A. The Human Genome Project: Ethical and Legal Challenges in Human Societies. Iran J Bioethics 2016; 6(19): 101-124.