Human Genetics Commission

The first report from the Human Genetics Commission stresses the importance of openness and public consultation in future policy decisions.

| 4 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
4:00
Share

LONDON — The first annual report of the UK's Human Genetics Commission, (HGC) published on 28 September 2001, contains this unequivocal message: as the pace of change in genetic research quickens and the consequences become more widespread, the public will be consulted every step of the way.

This quest for openness and public involvement is the overriding theme of the commission's report, entitled 'Debating the ethical future of human genetics'. After a year in which a great deal of effort went into finding out what people think about genetics, the commission is now in the process of setting up a 100-strong consultative panel comprising those directly affected by genetic disorders — plus family members and carers — to act as a sounding board for its reports and recommendations.

This approach is undeniably the most democratic way of driving genetics forward. But it also throws up questions about whether the commission ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Keywords

Meet the Author

  • Pat Hagan

    This person does not yet have a bio.
Share
3D illustration of a gold lipid nanoparticle with pink nucleic acid inside of it. Purple and teal spikes stick out from the lipid bilayer representing polyethylene glycol.
February 2025, Issue 1

A Nanoparticle Delivery System for Gene Therapy

A reimagined lipid vehicle for nucleic acids could overcome the limitations of current vectors.

View this Issue
Enhancing Therapeutic Antibody Discovery with Cross-Platform Workflows

Enhancing Therapeutic Antibody Discovery with Cross-Platform Workflows

sartorius logo
Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Lonza
An illustration of animal and tree silhouettes.

From Water Bears to Grizzly Bears: Unusual Animal Models

Taconic Biosciences
Sex Differences in Neurological Research

Sex Differences in Neurological Research

bit.bio logo

Products

Photo of a researcher overseeing large scale production processes in a laboratory.

Scaling Lentiviral Vector Manufacturing for Optimal Productivity

Thermo Fisher Logo
Collage-style urban graphic of wastewater surveillance and treatment

Putting Pathogens to the Test with Wastewater Surveillance

An illustration of an mRNA molecule in front of a multicolored background.

Generating High-Quality mRNA for In Vivo Delivery with lipid nanoparticles

Thermo Fisher Logo
Tecan Logo

Tecan introduces Veya: bringing digital, scalable automation to labs worldwide