When genomics and public health are integrated into society, it will create as many responsibilities as rights for citizens, researchers, and decision makers. Indeed, the expression of genetic risk factors in both common and infectious diseases is of great interest to public health. Policy development in this area needs to tackle crucial themes such as: research and its application to public health and genomic medicine, the authority of the state, the right to privacy, and the roles and responsibilities of citizens and the State. Considering the current fears of a world-wide pandemic, this...

Biotechnology is a rapidly developing sector of the economy for coun tries throughout the world. This rapid development has led to heated debate over its risks and benefits. Advocates of biotechnology point to the potential benefits offered by products that promise to elimi nate disease, provide for more efficient diagnostic techniques, treatments and drugs, yield increased food production, and so forth. Others fear that the rapid developments of this technology have occurred without appropriate consideration having been given to the ethical ramifications, the potential health risks and...