title: Gene therapy, fundamental rights, and the mandates of public health.
abstract: Recent and near-future developments in the field of molecular biology will make possible the treatment of genetic disease on an unprecedented scale. The potential applications of these developments implicate important public policy considerations. Among the questions that may arise is the constitutionality of a state-mandated program of gene therapy for the purpose of eradicating certain genetic diseases. Though controversial, precedents of public health jurisprudence suggest that such a program could survive constitutional scrutiny. This article provides an overview of gene therapy in the context of fundamental rights and the mandates of public health.
authors.affiliation: Boston University School of Law, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D005610:Freedom; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D024861:Genetic Enhancement; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005854:Germ Cells; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D011247:Pregnancy; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011790:Quarantine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013244:Sterilization, Involuntary / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D035521:Supreme Court Decisions; D014481:United States