title: Ownership of genetic material and information.
abstract: As a result of the International Human Genome Project genetic information is rapidly multiplying. To avoid some of the problems regarding the availability and use of genetic information, it is sometimes suggested to apply the concept of ownership. This article focuses on the clarification of the status of genetic material and genetic information, obtained as a result of screening and counseling of individual patients. First, some philosophical theories of ownership are examined for a justification of the use of the concept of ownership with regard to the human body. Next, arguments with regard to ownership of the human body are examined. The results of this analysis are applied to genetic material and genetic information.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: de Witte
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: ten Have
mesh_terms: D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005796:Genes; D030661:Genetic Privacy; D005823:Genetics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D037921:Gift Giving; D018594:Human Body; D006805:Human Experimentation; D016045:Human Genome Project; D006801:Humans; D018973:Intellectual Property; D010067:Ownership; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000592:standards*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012935:Social Justice; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement