[From genetics to law, the viewpoint of the physician]

OF ALL SCIENCES: Genetics, science of the transmission of hereditary characteristics, is probably that which interferes most with the Law. However, it was not genetics that provoked the ideological, social and political upheaval at the end of the 19th and during the 20th century; it was the theory of evolution, which preceded the discovery of genetics that was to provide the substratum of evolution mechanisms. Most of the lethal ideologies of the 20th century were based on this. As was the case of eugenics, with the participation of scientists, legislators and judges. GENETIC ENGINEERING: The logical application of the theory of evolution and universality of the genetic code, led to the development of the genome program. Today, sequencing of the human genome is almost finished, but many years will be needed before details of the physiological genetic manifestations will be known. Genes themselves would not generally be concerned by patenting rules. However, there is an international tendency towards envisaging the patenting of genes. DEVELOPMENT OF GENETIC TESTS AND THEIR INCREASING USE FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES: Are among the ethical problems raised by genetics. Genetic diagnosis, conducted before embryo transfer is called "pre-implantation". This raises the problem of an eventual pre-implantation eugenic selection and therefore requires strict control. Reinforcement of the right to knowledge of genetic origins is also one of the socio-legal problems raised by the progress in genetics.