ETHICS RESOURCES

Ethics and London IDEAS

A guide to online resources

Ethics expertise

A guide to online ethics resources

With so many sites on the web relating to ethics and genetics, it can become overwhelming determining where to ‘surf'. Below you will find a small collection of useful links, with a brief description of each, for exploring more about ethical issues in genetic technology.

General information, including Email bulletins
Sites with collections of further links

For general information about ethics and genetics (including Email bulletins):

Human Genome: Science Medicine and Society This is a new site developed by the Wellcome Trust to explore the human genome and what it means for us all. The site incorporates a discussion of ethical issues including Biobank, Insurance and DNA databases. It also contains information about public involvement in genetic policy.

BioNews Produced by the Progress Educational Trust, BioNews provides news, updates and commentary on a large number of issues surrounding genetics and reproductive technology. Topics covered include the Human Genome Project, the use of donor gametes, genetic testing and stem cell research. PET also produces a weekly electronic newsletter, which can be subscribed to from here.

For a good introductory guide to Bioethics research, see the site produced by Jim Peterman at Sewanee University: the Bioethics Research Guide.

Human Genetics Alert is an independent organisation concerned about developments in genetic research, such as genetic discrimination and genetic engineering. HGA produce a very useful Email bulletin summarising developments in genetics, law and ethics.

National Human Genome Research Institute: ELSI Page

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is an independent body that considers ethical issues arising from developments in medicine and biology. The Council has published major reports on issues such as Genetic Screening, GM Crops, Patenting DNA, Stem Cell therapy and Behavioural Genetics.

Sites with collections of further links:

The Public Health Genetics Unit at the University of Cambridge provides a very comprehensive site, with links to a variety of policy and ethics-related documents on genetics worldwide. The site also contains a significant database of condition-related information.

Bioethicsweb offers access to a searchable catalogue of quality Internet sites and resources covering biomedical ethics.

Genethics.ca is a ‘clearing house for information on the social, ethical and policy issues associated with genetic and genomic knowledge and technology'. It contains categorised links around several topics, in addition to links to the main bioethics journals. The site also contains a comprehensive list of bioethics research centres worldwide.

The US National Institutes of Health has produced a collection of Bioethics Sources on the Web, containing links to a range of bioethics organisations and resources.