posted 11-25-2002 02:34 PM         

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics was established in 1991 to identify, examine and report on the ethical questions raised by recent advances in biological and medical research. The Council seeks to play a role in contributing to policy-making and stimulating debate in bioethics.

In September 2002, the Council established a Working Party to consider ethical, social, legal and regulatory issues raised by developments in pharmacogenetics. The Council intends to publish a report in the autumn of 2003.

In order to inform the deliberations of the Working Party, we have published a consultation document that poses a number of questions about the implications of pharmacogenetics for the pharmaceutical industry, providers of healthcare, and individual patients. The consultation paper may be downloaded from our website: www.nuffieldbioethics.org/pharmacogenetics. Alternatively, contact the Council (bioethics@nuffieldfoundation.org) if you would like to obtain a printed copy.

We would welcome your comments on the issues raised. The deadline for responses is 19 February 2003.

Please feel free to forward this message to other people who may be interested in submitting a response.

Natalie Bartle
nbartle@nuffieldfoundation.org