title: Lex genetica: the law and ethics of programming biological code.
abstract: Recent advances in genetic engineering now allow the design of programmable biological artifacts. Such programming may include usage constraints that will alter the balance of ownership and control for biotechnology products. Similar changes have been analyzed in the context of digital content management systems, and while this previous work is useful in analyzing issues related to biological programming, the latter technology presents new conceptual problems that require more comprehensive evaluation of the interplay between law and technologically embedded values. In particular, the ability to embed contractual terms in technological artifacts now requires a re-examination of disclosure and consent in transactions involving such artifacts.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota Law School, 229 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. burkx006@umn.edu
authors.forename: Dan L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Burk
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D032982:Contracts / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D030881:Disclosure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005815:Genetic Code; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D018973:Intellectual Property; D026706:Paternalism; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011640:Public Policy; D012945:Social Values; D012984:Software / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013672:Technology; D014481:United States