Genetics and the Law
LAWS6914
This unit will examine the scope and limitations of existing regulation of genetic technologies with respect to humans; consider recent scientific and technological innovations in the area of human genetics and the role and effectiveness of law in managing these new developments and evaluate the role of law as a means to control both the development of new genetic technologies and the utilisation of existing technologies. This will include a specific focus on: individual decision-making versus responsibility for genetic risk, individual versus group rights, genetic privacy, genetic discrimination, reproductive autonomy, and ownership and control of genetic information and research developments. Specific issues covered will include: regulatory limits on the use of genetic screening including of adults, children and newborns; prenatal genetic testing and genetic testing of adults and children; the regulation of genetic registers; protecting genetic information privacy and the problem of familial information; measures to control genetic discrimination in employment and insurance; the regulation of genetic research; and the establishment of biobanks and the concept of genomic property.
Unit of study details
Unit of study level: Postgraduate
Credit points: 6
Commencing semesters: 104
Further unit of study information
Unit of study handbook: LAWS6914
Costs and scholarships information: Costs and Scholarships
Final dates to withdraw from units of study: Census Dates
Available for study abroad and exchange: No