Ethics Opinions

In general, genetic manipulation should be reserved for therapeutic purposes. Efforts to enhance “desirable” traits are contrary to the ethical tradition of medicine. In addition to fundamental ethical requirements for the appropriate conduct of research with human participants, research in gene therapy or genetic engineering must put in place additional safeguards to vigorously protect the safety and well-being of participants and future generations.

Human participants who contribute to research involving DNA databanks have a right to be informed about the nature and scope of the research and must give consent for how their information may be used.