Prof. Lemmens publishes new book on ethical issues of predictive genetic testing

Prof. Trudo Lemmens, with co-authors Mireille Lacroix, Senior Policy Analyst, Public Health Law and Ethics Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, and Prof. Roxanne Mykitiuk of York University's Osgoode Hall law school, has published a new book, Reading the future?: Legal and Ethical Challenges of Predictive Genetic Testing (Cowansville: Les Éditions Thémis, 2007). The book also includes contributions from Prof. Lisa Austin of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, and from Prof. Bita Amani of Queen's University Faculty of Law, who received her doctoral degree in law from U of T.

From the publisher: The mapping of the Human Genome has been touted as the beginning of a new scientific era. In medicine, it is expected to bring with it the widespread use of "predictive genetic testing" a term used to describe both pre-symptomatic testing and susceptibility testing on healthy individuals. In the last decade, several predictive genetic tests have been developed, primarily for single-gene disorders. While progress in understanding the precise role of genetics in more complex disorders has been slower than expected, research into the development of genetic tests for these disorders also continues.

Predictive genetic tests can be of significant value for patients and for public health strategies, but many ethical and legal issues are associated with the development and use of such tests. This book identifies and examines these issues and makes recommendations that will be of value to policy makers, regulators and law reformers. It is also a source of information for all those interested in the important ethical, social and legal issues raised by the new genetics.

To read more or to buy the book, visit the publisher's website.