Monthly Archives: February, 2012
A discussion on the ethics of neuroscience
In the ethics surrounding neuroscience, an initial question considered by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues today was the definition of the words “self” and “person.” The subject of neuroscience is one of three that the Commission is taking up this year. The other two are whole genome sequencing and effective countermeasures [...]
Experts give top concerns on genetic tests
In the final session today before the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, Chair Dr. Amy Gutmann asked all the experts who presented information to talk about their greatest concern with genetic tests. Gutmann, the President of the University of Pennsylvania, told them: “The Commission is very likely to focus its report on [...]
A positive use of genetic data: Justice
After a morning that dealt in large part with privacy concerns in the use of genetic data, the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues heard another side of the issue: The data can lead to justice. Melissa Mourges, Assistant District Attorney and Chief of the Forensic Sciences/Cold Cases Unit in the New York [...]
Ethical questions around genetic testing
Just 10 years ago, a complete personalized genome test cost $3 billion. Some groups say that this cost could drop to as low as $1000 this year. With the tests becoming more affordable, and more and more people getting whole genome sequencing tests, a host of related ethical issues are getting more attention, experts told [...]
Genetic testing that saved a life
The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues dove into the ethics of complete genome sequencing today in San Francisco, and it wasn’t long before they understood the benefits of the technology. They heard a story about how the test saved a life. Retta Beery, the mother of twins Alexis and Noah Beery, recollected [...]
Commission to take up ethics around protecting children in bioterror attack
The chair of the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues announced today the panel has agreed to a US administration request to study ethical questions around safe and effective countermeasures for children following a bioterror attack. Chair Dr. Amy Gutmann, speaking at a Commission session in San Francisco where the panel is discussing [...]
Live from San Francisco
Welcome to the blog for the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issue’s public meeting in San Francisco, which opens Thursday and ends on Friday, Feb. 2-3. The meeting will focus on two issues: whole genome sequencing and neuroethics. For a year, the Commission has been following issues surrounding the emergence of the whole [...]
