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Conceptual and Moral Problems of Genetic and Non-Genetic Preventive Interventions

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Mutating Concepts, Evolving Disciplines: Genetics, Medicine, and Society

Part of the book series: Philosophy and Medicine ((PHME,volume 75))

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Abstract

The burgeoning field of genetic medicine utilizes knowledge of the molecular basis of heredity to diagnose, predict the likelihood of, prevent, and treat disease. Because genetic medicine has the potential to push our diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities beyond present boundaries, it is appropriate to ask whether it also raises unique ethical problems. A prevailing view is that it does; many contributions in the popular press—for example, Dangerous Diagnostics (Nelkin and Tancredi, 1994), Exploding the Gene Myth (Hubbard and Wald, 1993)—suggest that genetic medicine traverses new territory, posing unique conceptual challenges and ethical risks that lie beyond the realm of ordinary, non-genetic medical interventions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Paul K. J. Han

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  1. Paul K. J. Han
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Lisa S. Parker (Associate Professor of Human Genetics and Director of Graduate Education of the Center for Bioethics and Health Law) (Associate Professor of Human Genetics and Director of Graduate Education of the Center for Bioethics and Health Law)

  2. Unit for History and Philosophy of Science, University of Sydney, Australia

    Rachel A. Ankeny (Lecturer and Director) (Lecturer and Director)

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Han, P.K.J. (2002). Conceptual and Moral Problems of Genetic and Non-Genetic Preventive Interventions. In: Parker, L.S., Ankeny, R.A. (eds) Mutating Concepts, Evolving Disciplines: Genetics, Medicine, and Society. Philosophy and Medicine, vol 75. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0269-1_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0269-1_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-3959-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-010-0269-1

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