Genetic Databases: Assessing the Benefits and the Impact on Human and Patient Rights – A World Health Organisation Report

Abstract

This article summarises the underlying rational and provisions of a report on genetic databases prepared for the European Partnership on Patients’ Rights and Citizens’ Empowerment, a network of the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe. The Working Group that prepared the report consisted of Fons Dekkers, Alastair Kent, Graeme Laurie (Convener), and Carmel Shalev. The article provides recommendations based on the outcomes of the Working Group for the ethical, legal, and social considerations of the creation and operation of genetic databases, comprising human genetic materials.