Genomics: law, business and ethics

An interdisciplinary approach for balanced outcomes

We work towards addressing legal and ethical implications of genetic findings and genomic advances more generally. This also includes assessing the readiness of the legal systems to uphold justice in the genomic era

Exploring:

– 1 –

Current regulation of genomics advances

and

Solutions for effective regulation of genetic advances

Through the work of the Working Group on Legal, Ethical and Societal Implications of Genetics (LESIG)

– 2 –

Genetic knowledge of key stakeholders and society

and

Views of key stakeholders and society, on use of genetic advances

through iGLAS instrument, currently available in 9 languages.

– 3 –

Opinions of all stakeholders about the legal and ethical implications of genetics

through iGLAS-LE instrument, an extension of the iGLAS instrument, which is currently available in several languages.

Selected Training, Courses and other work

Course on Genetics and Law

Subsidised by TAGC

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Subsidising:

—Courses on genetics, law, ethics and society

through AIR Courses at Goldsmiths, since 2014; and courses via programmes managed by TAGC experts.

Judicial training for UK judges

Neural and Psychological Processes in Decision Making

Head of TAGC Law & Ethics and LESIG Co-ordinator, Fatos Selita, was an invited speaker at the Judges’ Training Conference in March 2018. Read more…

International event: Emerging and Contemporary Issues in Legal Research

‘Genes and Human Rights’

Udayana University School of Law, Bali, Indonesia

LESIG Co-ordinator, Fatos Selita, addressed the impact of genetic advancements on human rights. The talk covered key genetic findings on human traits and addressed implications for human rights. Read more

Judicial training for the UK senior judiciary

Human Memory, Witnesses and Decision Making

Head of TAGC Law & Ethics and LESIG Co-ordinator, Fatos Selita, delivered training to the UK judiciary on Human Memory, Witnesses and Decision Making. Read more…

TAGC:

Provides training and expert Opinions on legal matters;
Disseminates knowledge;
Reviews law and its application in practice;
Reviews ethical guidelines; and
Makes proposals for policy and legislative updates.

Collaborations and contact

ORGANISATIONS: We welcome proposals for collaborations, including from research organisations, law organisations (e.g. law firms, chambers, law schools), policy institutions and interdisciplinary organisations.

INDIVIDUALS: If you are a lawyer, judge or geneticist with an interest on legal implications of genomic findings, we will be happy to hear from you.

Selected interdisciplinary papers from our team on Genomic Law and Ethics

Selita, F. 2019. Genetic Data Misuse: Risk To Fundamental Human Rights In Developed Economies. LIJ, 7:1, pp 53-95. https://www.legalissuesjournal.com/article/1491/

Selita, F. and Kovas, Y. 2019. Genes and Gini: What Inequality Means for Heritability. Journal of Biosocial Science, 51:1, January 2019 , pp. 18 – 47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021932017000645

Selita, F. 2018. Unrepresented Litigants in Modern Courts – Ordeal by Combat. LIJ. 6:1. https://www.legalissuesjournal.com/article/1139/

Chapman, R., Likhanov, M., Selita, F. et al. New literacy challenge for the twenty-first century: genetic knowledge is poor even among well educated. J Community Genet 10, 73–84 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12687-018-0363-7

Institute for Law & Ethics

ILE brings together Lawyers, Scientists and Policymakers to work on legal and ethical implications of genetics, including updating laws to protect individuals and ensure fair use of genetic findings.

ILE also provides professional training, consultation, reports and expert opinions in matters related to legal and ethical implications of genetics.

The Institute collaborates with international partners, including in the UK, USA, China and Canada.