Subjects 2009
Law and Human Genetics 730898
- Credited Courses: Graduate Diploma in Health and Medical Law 343; Graduate Diploma in Health and Medical Law 343; Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies L08; Master of Health and Medical Law 507; Master of Health and Medical Law 507; Master of Laws (LLM) 502; Master of Laws (LLM) 502
Objectives
A student who has successfully completed this subject should:
- Understand the legal and ethical requirements for consent to genetic testing
- Know the nature and amount of information needed before a person is tested
- Be aware of the different issues when testing is routine or for population screening rather than when requested for a patient or relative
- Know the law protecting the confidentiality of genetic information
- Have considered the potential legal liability of health professionals in this field
- Be familiar with the debates concerning the ownership of organs and tissue
- Have examined the options for regulating the development and application of genetic testing and treatment
- Be able to argue that a particular regulatory system should be adopted
Syllabus
Principal topics include:
- General principles concerning a health professional’s legal duty to inform patients, to obtain consent for proposed procedures and to maintain confidentiality
- A person’s ‘right’ to privacy and limitations on it
- Legal issues concerning the taking and use of tissue for genetic testing and research
- Legal controls on the use of genetic information, principles of unlawful discrimination
- Recent proposals concerning cloning and embryonic stem cell research and government responses.
