Repository Collection: Axe 3 Droit, biotechnologie et rapport au milieu

Involving the Public in Public Health Genomics: A Review of Guidelines and Policy Statements

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:46:10 GMT

Title: Involving the Public in Public Health Genomics: A Review of Guidelines and Policy Statements

Authors: Avard, Denise; Grégoire, Gabrielle; Jean, Michèle S.

Issue Date: 2008

Abstract: Public health genomics raises exciting possibilities for preventing or reducing the occurrence of both rare and common disease. However, this area of research raises challenging ethical, legal and social issues that should be addressed. One way of addressing these issues is through public involvement in the policy-making process. This GenEdit reviews how international guidelines and policy statements related to public health genomics address the issue of public involvement. Key areas of discussion are the values and goals justifying public involvement, the proposed activities to increase public involvement, who is and who represents ‘the public’, as well as the projected outcomes of such involvement.

Legal aspects of animal-human combinations in Canada

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:44:54 GMT

Title: Legal aspects of animal-human combinations in Canada

Authors: Bordet, Sylvie; Feldman, Sabrina; Knoppers, Bartha Maria

Issue Date: 2007

Abstract: This article examines the current legal regime applicable to animal-human combinations under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act (Canada). The Act prohibits as criminal offences the use of non-human reproductive material in humans, the use in humans of human reproductive material previously transplanted into a non-human life form, the creation of chimeras made from human embryos, and the creation for reproductive purposes of human/non-human hybrids. Additional animal-human combinations, such as transgenic life forms, may be regulated pursuant to section 11 of the Act in the future. The underlying concerns of the Act in establishing this regime appear to be the protection of human health and safety, human dignity and individuality, and the human genome. The Act seems calibrated to prohibit the creation of animal-human combinations that are currently unsafe and scientifically and ethically problematic, while leaving open the possibility of regulating other such combinations with more immediate scientific potential, although these also raise ethical questions. Currently, certain differences subsist in Canada between what is permissible for researchers and institutions funded by federal agencies and those in privately funded research. The development of the regulatory framework under the Act will reveal how freedom of research will be balanced against the need for scientifically valid and ethically justifiable research, and whether these differences will continue to apply.

Umbilical cord blood banking

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:43:16 GMT

Title: Umbilical cord blood banking

Authors: Bordet, Sylvie; Kharaboyan, Linda; Lebrun, André

Issue Date: 2007

Abstract: Current therapeutic uses of umbilical cord blood stem cells and the promise of these cells for the treatment of degenerative diseases in the future have led to the establishment of cord blood banks in many parts of the world. Although umbilical cord blood banking raises many ethical and legal issues, this article focuses on the controversy created by the coexistence of public and private cord blood banks in many countries. Policy statements adopted by professional associations and advisory groups indicate that, based on the current state of medical evidence, childbearing women with no current or potential familial need of stem cell transplantation should be encouraged to donate cord blood to public banks. Collected cord blood that does not meet standards for transplantation should be made available for research, and options should be provided to parents so that they can make informed decisions regarding which types of research they are willing to support.

Participatory Justice in a Global Economy : the New Rule of Law

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:39:01 GMT

Title: Participatory Justice in a Global Economy : the New Rule of Law

Issue Date: 2004

Editors: Hugues, Patricia; Molinari Patrick

Abstract: The Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice hosted a national Conference on Participatory Justice in a Global Economy: The New Rule of Law? in Banff, Alberta, from October 16th to the 18th, 2003. The Co-Chairs for the Conference were Dean Patricia Hughes from the Law School of the University of Calgary, the Honourable Justice Rosemary Nation from the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta and Mr. Michael I. Wylie from Macleod Dixon LLP in Calgary. The Honourable Justice Constance D. Hunt from the Alberta Court of Appeal, Professor L. Philip Bryden from the Faculty of Law of the University of British Columbia, Professor Patrick A. Molinari from the Faculty of Law of the Université de Montréal and Ms. Christine Huglo Robertson, Executive Director of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice were also members of the Planning Committee.; L’Institut canadien d’administration de la justice tenait du 16 au 18 octobre 2003 à Banff (Alberta) son congrès annuel sur le thème Une justice de participation dans une économie globale : la nouvelle règle de droit. Ce congrès était coprésidé par la doyenne Patricia Hughes de la Faculté de droit de l’Université de Calgary, la juge Rosemary Nation de la Cour du Banc de la Reine de l’Alberta et Me Michael I. Wylie de Macleod Dixon à Calgary. La juge Constance D. Hunt de la Cour d’appel de l’Alberta, le professeur Philip L. Bryden de la Faculté de droit de l’Université de Colombie-Britannique, le professeur Patrick A. Molinari de la Faculté de droit de l’Université de Montréal et Mme Christine Huglo Robertson, directrice générale de l’Institut canadien d’administration de la justice faisaient aussi partie du comité d’organisation.

DNA Banking: current and ideal practices

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:07:58 GMT

Title: DNA Banking: current and ideal practices

Authors: Godard, Béatrice; Verhoef, M.

Issue Date: 1996

Abstract: Ce livre est la conclusion d'un projet de recherche de deux ans portant sur les technologies en génétique humaine. Les développements récents en matière de collecte, d'analyse et de conservation du matériel génétique ont soulevé des questions juridiques complexes et ont attiré l'attention de plusieurs avocats, scientifiques et du public. Ce livre présente une analyse de ces questions et une comparaison de la position et de la politique canadienne avec celle en émergence dans divers pays.