Legislation

Genetic research, in particular the sequencing of the human genome, has opened the way for far-reaching medical research and biomedical applications. Genetic data can be used for medical diagnosis, disease prevention and population genetics studies. As each person’s genetic heritage is unique, forensic science and the judicial system also use them for identification purposes. The number of genetic databanks is rising, with some containing more than a million records. Some are maintained at a national level and contain samples from…

The following document is the Oviedo contract, which was legislated back in 1997 and was innovative on the field of bioethics. Today, 20 years after its entry into force, there are still many states, who have yet not signed it, such us Germany, the UK etc. See the document here.