MEDIA
RELEASE
For immediate release 24 June
2003
Genetics white paper reveals biased
approach
Human Genetics Alert (HGA;1) said today
that the government is rushing into genetics without putting in
place the necessary safeguards on ethical and social
issues.
HGA's Director, Dr David King said:
"Overall, the paper is long on glowing descriptions of the potential
of genetics and short on specific and adequate measures to meet
public concerns. The
government has been taken in by the hype coming from scientists and
the biotechnology industry.
For example, the government wants to boost gene therapy, yet
most scientists now believe its prospects are very limited. In fact, recently trials
have been halted due to leukaemias caused by the treatments. Government money would be
better spent on tackling the environmental and social causes of
disease, which are far more important than genetics. We need a proper review of
funding in this area.
"Although the government promises
safeguards, it is so far refusing to legislate against genetic
discrimination by insurers and employers. Both the public and a number
of inter-governmental declarations have been demanding such
legislation for several years.
The proposals for protecting genetic privacy are unclear and
inadequate.
"Consistent with this bias, its main
effort on public awareness consists of funding the Progress
Educational Trust, a body that has consistently been dedicated to
advocating relaxation of regulation, and has even been equivocal on
human cloning."
For more information, contact Dr David
King, 020 7704 6100
Notes for
editors
1. Human Genetics Alert is an independent
watchdog group and is funded by a leading British
charity.
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