Open AccessGenetic Privacy: The Potential for Genetic Discrimination in Insurance
Author(s) -
Pamela J. Jensen
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
victoria university of wellington law review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1179-3082
pISSN - 1171-042X
DOI - 10.26686/vuwlr.v29i2.6035
Subject(s) - confidentiality , legislation , genetic discrimination , genetic testing , set (abstract data type) , political science , human genetics , ethical issues , internet privacy , law , engineering ethics , biology , genetics , engineering , computer science , gene , programming language
The threat of modern genetics has been perceived as coming, rather dramatically, from genetic engineering, but the less flashy field of medical genetic testing poses significant and immediate issues. This article discusses the potential for breach of confidentiality or invasion of privacy through the acquisition of information, the disclosure of information, and the potential for prejudicial use of that information by third parties. The author concludes that New Zealand's ethical and legal aspects of human genetics needed a review at the time of writing, recommending an advisory group to be set up to monitor developments in human genetics, facilitate discussion with all relevant persons, groups and bodies, and report on issues arising from new developments in human genetics that can be expected to have wider ethical, social, economic, and legal consequences. However, the author does not find it necessary to enact genetic-specific legislation.