Legal Problems and Risks of Genetic Revolution: Genetic Information and Discrimination

In the article the author highlights that new technologies can significantly change both the life of each person and the development of human civilization as a whole. In this regard, it is necessary to draw attention to the fact of increasing importance of genetic information contained in human DNA in various areas of life of a human being and, due to this fact, the need for legal science to effectively protect the rights of an individual in order to prevent harm caused by the misuse of his genetic information.

On the basis of the analysis of the problems arising in connection with the use of genetic information about a person, the author concludes that the legislation in this area needs to be improved also with a view to preventing discrimination against individuals on the basis of genome. By its legal nature, genetic information is an element of personal, family privacy of an individual and is included in the broader concept of privacy of the individual. Therefore it must be protected by law as an intangible benefit (Art. 150 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). However, the existing legal regulation is not able to take into account the specifics of genetic information and to provide effective protection against misappropriation and misuse of this information including protection against actions aimed at establishing restrictions on the basis of hereditary diseases and other characteristics in employment, conclusion of contracts of insurance, credit agreements, etc.

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