A Commission for the 21st Century
| Published date | 01 September 1998 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.00169 |
| Date | 01 September 1998 |
| Author | Colin Campbell |
A Commission for the 21st Century
Colin Campbell*
New insights into the structure, function and control of genes and how they
influence our health, have produced a dramatic expansion in our understanding of
what causes disease. The application of genetic technologies can be used to
advance medical research and clinical care, including, for example, the discovery
and development of new pharmaceuticals, vaccines and diagnostic tests. Although
this technology offers much promise, some developments have also raised wider
concerns. Given the huge potential of genetic advances, it is important to consider
the ethical and social consequences now, and not be taken unaware. The
Government has recognised the significance of these issues and the Human
Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC) has been given the task of advising
Ministers.
The Human Genetics Advisory Commission
The Human Genetics Advisory Commission was established, in December 1996,
as a non-statutory advisory body. It provides independent advice to UK Health and
Industry Ministers on issues arising from developments in human genetics that
have social, ethical and/or economic consequences. The Commission was also
asked to advise on ways to build public understanding of the new genetics. Its full
terms of reference are to:
(i) keep under review scientific progress at the frontiers of human genetics and
related fields;
(ii) report on issues arising from new developments in human genetics that can be
expected to have wider social, ethical and/or economic consequences, for
example, in relation to public health, insurance, patents and employment;
(iii) advise on ways to build public confidence in, and understanding of, the new
genetics.
The Commission has a facilitative and advisory role. It aims to improve the level
of informed debate about the issues which arise from advances in human genetics.
To this end, it endeavours to make the issues accessible to as wide an audience as
possible. We are committed to open and public debate and will try to ensure that
the debate is well informed. This should help to enable the Government and
Parliament to address difficult and complex issues with the right information,
understanding and analysis.
Challenges faced by the HGAC
The HGAC faces a number of key challenges:
(i) how to make complex issues accessible to a wider audience;
Crown copyright 1998 (MLR 61:5, September). Reproduced with the permission of the
Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Published by Blackwell Publishers,
108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JF and 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, USA.
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* Chairman, Human Genetics Advisory Commission, London.
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