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9 J.L. & Health 121 (1994-1995)
Accessing Genomic Information or Safeguarding Genetic Privacy

handle is hein.journals/jlah9 and id is 127 raw text is: ACCESSING GENOMIC INFORMATION OR SAFEGUARDING GENETIC PRIVACY GEORGE P. SMITH, III I. SUMMARY ........................................ 121 II. PROBLEMS OR OPPORTUNITIES ......................... 122 III. THE HUMAN GENOME INITIATIVE ...................... 126 A. The Perils of Genetic Knowledge .................. 127 IV. TOWARD A PRINCIPLE OF BIOLOGICAL DETERMINISM ......... 128 A. Contemporary Perspectives ...................... 129 V. THE HUMAN GENOME PRIVACY ACT: A MODEL LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION? ............................. 129 VI. INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIES .......................... 132 VII. A NEW PARTNERSHIP ............................... 132 EPILOGUE ........................................ 134 I. SUMMARY While abundant fears mark the pathways for the development of the New Biology, humanity's dehumanization and depersonalization will not be fostered-in reality-as a consequence of the continuing quest for mastery of the genetic code through pursuit of the Human Genome Initiative. Indeed, if actions are undertaken and performed here with the goal of minimizing human suffering and maximizing the social good, then the noble integrity of evolutionary and genetic progress will be preserved and the slippery slope of careless and irrational action will be avoided totally. Obviously, attendant to the freedom to undertake research into the exciting frontiers of the New Biology is a co-existent responsibility to pursue the work in a reasonable and rational manner. The real-although often exaggerated-threats to genetic privacy, and the resulting forms of genetic discrimination, posed as a consequence of research in this field, can be contained by careful development and application of legal norms through legislative schemes at the state and federal levels of government. In 1B.S., J.D., Indiana University; LL.M. Columbia University. Professor of Law, The Catholic University of America. This essay is a revised and extended version of a paper entitled, Biological Determinism or Genetic Discrimination, presented at the 10th World Congress on Medical Law in Jerusalem on August 31,1994.

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