Alberta Innovates- Health Solutions

Its potential for
good and for evil.

“Science itself cannot supply us with ethics.”

Bertrand Russell, 1950

With the explosion of genetics research and the rapid development of sophisticated medical technologies in the last decade, the appeal for ethical guidelines is being made daily in light of such recent developments as proposed in vivo gene therapy, the first hand-and-arm transplant, and ongoing research into xenotransplantation (animal to human transplantation).

The result is a public awareness as never before of the power of science and its potential for good and for evil. Anxious questions dog lawmakers, educators, religious leaders, and the scientific community. Is science outstripping our ability to grapple with ethical issues? Will ethical guidelines serve to clarify the murky waters of the unknown depths of science? Will they result in regulatory measures that frustrate the commercial potential of medical discoveries?

Lawyer and AHFMR researcher Tim Caulfield pursues these questions daily in his work at the University of Alberta's Health Law Institute. His area of specialization is the legal issues implicit in the commercialization of genetics services. Other legal and ethics experts and the media often refer to him to provide insight when the latest discovery in science hits the headlines.

"The twentieth century can be defined as the march of science and the march of commerce. Increasingly these two forces are becoming intertwined in one area-genetics research." Although Mr. Caulfield is excited about the tremendous benefits that will result from emerging biotechnologies based in genetics research, he says society must grapple with larger ethical issues that pervade the field.

For example, we live in an increasingly consumer-oriented society. Will marketing and the increasing focus on genetics cause us to emphasize genetics over other characteristics? How do you develop ethical frameworks that guide attitude and, even more challenging, how do you develop ethical guidelines that apply globally?"

Many of these questions were tackled by experts at the second international conference on DNA sampling held in Edmonton from September 10-13, 1998 and chaired by Mr. Caulfield. The conference was supported by AHFMR's Conference/Workshop program (see: http://www.ahfmr.ab.ca/grants/institutional.php#confer for more information). The focus of the conference was the commercialization of genetic research: ethical, legal and policy issues. This edition of the AHFMR Magazine covers some of the conference sessions.

The website for the Health Law Institute is:

http://www.law.ualberta.ca/centres/hli/