Opportunities and Challenges for Human Rights Protection with Genomic Medicine

Rapid advances are being made in genomic medicine without a comprehensive discussion of the impact on human rights. Every year, many new genetic tests are available that can be used to determine the potential development or risk for a disease, to indicate an individual is a carrier of a disorder, or to make treatment decisions. The availability, communication and use of such information have implications beyond a physician's office, hospital or clinics, including protection or violation of human rights. Several major fears for genomic medicine in protecting or violating human rights will be highlighted. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will guide the discussion.