Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Property rights in genetic information.

Richard A Spinello1

  • 1Department of Operations and Strategic Management, Carroll School of Management, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA. richard.spinello@bc.edu

Ethics and Information Technology
|September 15, 2006
PubMed
Summary

This paper argues against ownership of genetic information, citing utilitarian concerns. Alternative methods like informed consent can protect privacy without hindering biomedical research.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Forgotten Encyclical: Why <i>Evangelium Vitae</i> Still Matters.

The Linacre quarterly·2026
Same author

The end of privacy.

America·1997
See all related articles

Area of Science:

  • Bioethics
  • Genetics Law
  • Intellectual Property

Background:

  • The Human Genome Project and bio-prospecting initiatives raise questions about ownership of genetic information.
  • Current debates often cite genetic exceptionalism, arguing for enhanced protection of genetic data.
  • Proponents advocate for ownership to protect privacy, autonomy, and enable benefit sharing from genetic research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a normative case against ownership of genetic information and human tissue samples.
  • To analyze the utilitarian implications of granting property rights in genetic data.
  • To explore alternative mechanisms for protecting individual rights in genetic research.

Main Methods:

  • Normative ethical analysis.
Keywords:
Analytical ApproachBiomedical and Behavioral ResearchGenetics and ReproductionIcelandic Medical AssociationdeCode Genetics

Related Experiment Videos

  • Utilitarian ethical framework.
  • Legal and policy analysis of intellectual property in genetic information.

    • Main Results:

    • Granting ownership rights in genetic information could lead to inefficiencies and hinder biomedical research.
    • The utilitarian benefits of extensive property rights in genetic material are questionable.
    • Alternative mechanisms like informed consent and confidentiality rules can safeguard individual interests.

    Conclusions:

    • Ownership of genetic information is not normatively justified on utilitarian grounds.
    • Extensive property rights in genetic data pose a significant barrier to scientific advancement.
    • Informed consent and robust confidentiality protocols are sufficient to protect individuals in genetic research.