Mr. Stanley Wong, Chair
s-wong-1@northwestern.edu


The scientific advances in recent decades have brought about new implications for bioethics in the international community. For example, one can just look to the possibility of human cloning becoming a reality as a topic that continues to pose many questions that deal intricately with human rights of life and dignity. The General Assembly in March 2005 adopted a resolution that declared an international convention against human reproductive cloning. Related to the issue of cloning and not as clearly addressed is the issue of the human genome.

The human genome is the complete DNA sequence of one set of human chromosomes. The genome contains all the genetic material necessary for encoding hereditary information of human beings. Beginning in 1990, an international project comprising of scientists from the United States, China, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom embarked on a program to known as the Human Genome Project to map and sequence the entire human genome. The completion of the Human Genome Project in April of 2003 resulted in 99% of the genome sequenced.

The mapping of the human genome has allowed for many practical results including genetic testing for disposition toward illnesses such as breast cancer, blood clotting, cystic fibrosis, and liver diseases. The understanding of the genome also augments the fields of medicine and biotechnology potentially leading to effective treatment for chronic diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.

However, abuse of this knowledge could also be implicated in future human right violations. Genetic discrimination is an issue that could arise in the integration of human genetic information into healthcare and economy. The protection of genetic privacy and intellectual property are key questions that must be addressed when dealing with the human rights issue. In response to this, the United Nations Commission of Human Rights appointed Ms. Iulia-Antoanella Motoc as Special Rapporteur to undertake a study on human rights and the human genome.

In light of recent scientific advances in human genome research, the international community is presented with a brave new world of application for opportunity as well as abuse. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights must represent the international community in formulating an ethical and appropriate response to these rapidly evolving circumstances in order to safeguard scientific knowledge and human rights for the 21st century. How do we protect human rights through genetic privacy and prevent genetic discrimination, while at the same time encourage the advancement of human welfare through medicine?


Human Genome Project Information
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml

National Human Genome Research Institute
http://www.genome.gov/

Genome Project – Bioethics Resources on the Web - NIH
http://www.nih.gov/sigs/bioethics/genomics.html