ETHI: INTRODUCTION

[Hans Goerl <GENETHICS@delphi.com>]

After a brief shakedown period, the ETHI section  of HUM-MOLGEN is now fully
operational.

We hope to discuss and provide the latest thinking on such diverse subjects
as the definition of humanness, the peculiar characteristics of informed
consent in genetics, genetic discrimination, and the propriety of research
alliances between academe, governments and commercial interests.

Virtually any aspect of the interface between genetic knowledge and the rest
of society will be fair game.

As individuals, institutions, races, nations and as one world we will ALL
have to deal with alterations in fundamental assumptions about ourselves and
our relationships with each other caused by new genetic discoveries. The
possibilities of misunderstandings with grave consequences are virtually
limitless; hopefully this forum will promote information exchange to prevent
or ameliorate some of them.


In contrast to other sections of HUM-MOLGEN, this forum will also encourage
personal, as opposed to professional or commercial points of view. We will
 actively solicit contributions from outside the genetics community.
If, as frequently happens in this area, the signal to noise ratio seems a
little low, we ask you to let us know.

We strongly urge all researchers, clinicians, ethicists, regulators from all
countries, and people affected by genetic conditions, i.e everybody, to
participate.

May  your genes be good,
Hans Goerl, ETHI editor