Herman T. Tavani
Abstract
Organized into three main parts, this paper examines some challenges for the informed-consent process in medical research where DNA databanks are employed. In Part 1, we briefly describe the principle of informed consent and show why it is ethically important. Part 2 focuses on some specific challenges that that arise for the traditional informed-consent process in population-wide genetics/genomics research, especially where data-mining techniques are used. In the third and final section, we defend a model of consent based on the notion of a "charitable trust," which we believe can help to preserve the integrity of the consent process in the context of medical and genetic research involving DNA databanks.
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Index Terms
- The consent process in medical research involving DNA databanks: some ethical implications and challenges
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