The Human Genome as Common Heritage of Mankind

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Genetics
Cover of the book The Human Genome as Common Heritage of Mankind by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft, ibidem
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft ISBN: 9783838271576
Publisher: ibidem Publication: April 30, 2018
Imprint: ibidem Language: English
Author: Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
ISBN: 9783838271576
Publisher: ibidem
Publication: April 30, 2018
Imprint: ibidem
Language: English

In this timely study, Jean Buttigieg demonstrates the necessity to make it a legal principle of international law that the human genome is a common heritage of mankind. In 1997, the UNESCO General Conference declared the human genome a common heritage of humankind. This declaration was followed by the Joint Statement of March 14, 2000, by US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in which they stated that the “fundamental data on the human genome, including the human DNA sequence and its variations, should be made freely available to scientists everywhere.” This announcement to allow “unencumbered access” to this fundamental data on the human genome, for the benefit of all humanity, appeared to endorse the UNESCO Declaration of 1997 on the human genome. But as it turns out, these statements were only political slogans since there is a complete lack of any genuine attempts to make the human genome a legal principle of international law so far. This study's foremost goal is to re-introduce the philosophical and political implications of the concept of common heritage of mankind into public discourse, as intended by Arvid Pardo when he addressed the UN General Assembly on November 1, 1967, and apply them to the human genome. As Buttigieg demonstrates, the biggest challenge here comes from the patent system in its present form, which encourages the commercialization of the human genome by explicitly denying scientists “unencumbered access” to the fundamental raw data. By putting individual rights before community rights, the patent system effectively hinders discoveries that prompt new and better medical treatments. Buttigieg also discusses issues of biotechnology. While the biotechnology debate is very often centred on which new applications of biotechnology should or should not be permitted, it so far lacks a critical philosophical analysis of biotechnology itself. The true essence of the human genome, Buttigieg argues, is to be found in metaphysics and not biology. This study fills a gap in the literature on the human genome and the common heritage of mankind by addressing the metaphysical nature of the human genome and discussing the philosophical concerns surrounding the field of biotechnology.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this timely study, Jean Buttigieg demonstrates the necessity to make it a legal principle of international law that the human genome is a common heritage of mankind. In 1997, the UNESCO General Conference declared the human genome a common heritage of humankind. This declaration was followed by the Joint Statement of March 14, 2000, by US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in which they stated that the “fundamental data on the human genome, including the human DNA sequence and its variations, should be made freely available to scientists everywhere.” This announcement to allow “unencumbered access” to this fundamental data on the human genome, for the benefit of all humanity, appeared to endorse the UNESCO Declaration of 1997 on the human genome. But as it turns out, these statements were only political slogans since there is a complete lack of any genuine attempts to make the human genome a legal principle of international law so far. This study's foremost goal is to re-introduce the philosophical and political implications of the concept of common heritage of mankind into public discourse, as intended by Arvid Pardo when he addressed the UN General Assembly on November 1, 1967, and apply them to the human genome. As Buttigieg demonstrates, the biggest challenge here comes from the patent system in its present form, which encourages the commercialization of the human genome by explicitly denying scientists “unencumbered access” to the fundamental raw data. By putting individual rights before community rights, the patent system effectively hinders discoveries that prompt new and better medical treatments. Buttigieg also discusses issues of biotechnology. While the biotechnology debate is very often centred on which new applications of biotechnology should or should not be permitted, it so far lacks a critical philosophical analysis of biotechnology itself. The true essence of the human genome, Buttigieg argues, is to be found in metaphysics and not biology. This study fills a gap in the literature on the human genome and the common heritage of mankind by addressing the metaphysical nature of the human genome and discussing the philosophical concerns surrounding the field of biotechnology.

More books from ibidem

Cover of the book Forum für osteuropäische Ideen- und Zeitgeschichte. 18. Jahrgang, Heft 2 by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book A War of Songs by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book Europeans and the Public Sphere by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book Journal of Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book Die pädagogische Fachkraft und Professionalität: Wie mit Hilfe der Schemapädagogik extreme Erziehungsstile identifiziert und überwunden werden können (2) by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book Changing Images of the Left in Bulgaria by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book Sociality and Justice by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book The Pursuit of Pleasure by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book Beckett, Lacan and the Gaze by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book Frozen Mud and Red Ribbons by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book Contemporary Theory and Practice of Organizations by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book Water and Environment in the Selenga-Baikal Basin by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book From Vocal Poetry to Song by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book A European Crisis: Perspectives on Refugees, Solidarity, and Europe by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
Cover of the book Der Spiegel und die Spiegelungen by Jean Buttigieg, Alexander Gungov, Friedrich Luft
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy