Genetics, testing and gene patenting raise profound issues that significantly impact our healthcare and social systems.

This report, presented to the provincial and territorial premiers, at a Premiers' Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, January 24/25, 2002, sets out the framework for governments to approach the issues that new genetic technologies will deliver. It outlines the need for jurisdictions to enter into a dialogue to prepare for such technological change and innovation.

The report includes a series of recommendations for action that governments may wish to consider. The recommendations focus on issues such as: legal, psychosocial, ethical, financial, implementation and procedural issues surrounding the human genome, gene patenting, potential changes to healthcare practice and delivery, privacy and discrimination, public education, recent discoveries, and genetic testing.

The final report may be downloaded from the link below.

See also: Predictive Genetic Tests and Health Care Costs

FULL REPORT Genetics, Testing & Gene Patenting : Charting New Territory in Healthcare 159 pages | 876 k | PDF format

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January 2002