D
Dr. Jai Maharaj
Guest
DNA theft to be criminal offence in UK
NewScientist.com news service
The theft and testing of an individual's DNA is set to
become a criminal offence in the UK, as part of a raft of
proposed government measures aimed at embracing the
potential of genetic technology in medicine, while
protecting the rights of individuals.
The UK's Department of Health announced on Tuesday that
it will spend £50 million over the next three years to
advance the use of genetics in treating patients of the
National Health System.
Much of the money will be spent on developing gene
testing and gene therapy. "Increasing understanding of
genetics will bring more accurate diagnosis, more
personalised prediction of risk and more targeted and
effective use of existing drugs," said health minister
John Reid.
But the government also says it will tackle the issue of
possible discrimination against people who possess
harmful genes, although it makes no specific proposals.
The new measures are outlined in a government "White
Paper", the document upon which laws presented to
parliament are based. Among the more controversial ideas
proposed is that all babies are screened at birth, with
their genetic profile being stored away for future use.
Tailored drugs
Many scientists welcomed the government push to better
use genetic technology in medicine. "It's a great
pleasure for those of us engaged in human genetics
research to see that there will be increased resources to
support the translation of our research into everyday
medicine," said Veronica van Heyningen, at the Medical
Research Council's Human Genetics Unit.
The new proposals include:
o Upgrading genetic laboratories for an expansion in
rapid testing
o new research into genetic testing for single gene
disorders and for the predisposition to complex diseases
like cancer, coronary heart disease and diabetes
o research in "pharmacogenetics" - understanding how
patients' genetic make-up determines their response to
drugs
o encouraging gene therapy research, with particular
emphasis on single gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis
[...]
This is only an excerpt -- read the complete news at:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993882
Jai Maharaj
http://www.mantra.com/jai
Om Shanti
Panchaang for 28 Jyeshtth 5104, Friday, June 27, 2003:
Shubhanu Nama Samvatsare Dakshinaya Nartana Ritau
Mithun Mase Krishna Pakshe Shukr Vasara Yuktayam
Rohini-Mrgashir Nakshatr Shool-Ganda Yog
Vishti Karan Chaturdashi Yam Tithau
Hindu Holocaust Museum
http://www.mantra.com/holocaust
Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy
http://www.hindu.org
http://www.hindunet.org
The truth about Islam and Muslims
http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate
o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the
educational purposes of research and open discussion. The contents of
this post may not have been authored by, and do not necessarily represent
the opinion of the poster. The contents are protected by copyright law
and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
o If you send private e-mail to me, it will likely not be read,
considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name,
current e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number.
o Posted for information and discussion. Views expressed by others
are not necessarily those of the poster.
NewScientist.com news service
The theft and testing of an individual's DNA is set to
become a criminal offence in the UK, as part of a raft of
proposed government measures aimed at embracing the
potential of genetic technology in medicine, while
protecting the rights of individuals.
The UK's Department of Health announced on Tuesday that
it will spend £50 million over the next three years to
advance the use of genetics in treating patients of the
National Health System.
Much of the money will be spent on developing gene
testing and gene therapy. "Increasing understanding of
genetics will bring more accurate diagnosis, more
personalised prediction of risk and more targeted and
effective use of existing drugs," said health minister
John Reid.
But the government also says it will tackle the issue of
possible discrimination against people who possess
harmful genes, although it makes no specific proposals.
The new measures are outlined in a government "White
Paper", the document upon which laws presented to
parliament are based. Among the more controversial ideas
proposed is that all babies are screened at birth, with
their genetic profile being stored away for future use.
Tailored drugs
Many scientists welcomed the government push to better
use genetic technology in medicine. "It's a great
pleasure for those of us engaged in human genetics
research to see that there will be increased resources to
support the translation of our research into everyday
medicine," said Veronica van Heyningen, at the Medical
Research Council's Human Genetics Unit.
The new proposals include:
o Upgrading genetic laboratories for an expansion in
rapid testing
o new research into genetic testing for single gene
disorders and for the predisposition to complex diseases
like cancer, coronary heart disease and diabetes
o research in "pharmacogenetics" - understanding how
patients' genetic make-up determines their response to
drugs
o encouraging gene therapy research, with particular
emphasis on single gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis
[...]
This is only an excerpt -- read the complete news at:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993882
Jai Maharaj
http://www.mantra.com/jai
Om Shanti
Panchaang for 28 Jyeshtth 5104, Friday, June 27, 2003:
Shubhanu Nama Samvatsare Dakshinaya Nartana Ritau
Mithun Mase Krishna Pakshe Shukr Vasara Yuktayam
Rohini-Mrgashir Nakshatr Shool-Ganda Yog
Vishti Karan Chaturdashi Yam Tithau
Hindu Holocaust Museum
http://www.mantra.com/holocaust
Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy
http://www.hindu.org
http://www.hindunet.org
The truth about Islam and Muslims
http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate
o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the
educational purposes of research and open discussion. The contents of
this post may not have been authored by, and do not necessarily represent
the opinion of the poster. The contents are protected by copyright law
and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
o If you send private e-mail to me, it will likely not be read,
considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name,
current e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number.
o Posted for information and discussion. Views expressed by others
are not necessarily those of the poster.