How the role of computing is driving new genetics' public policy.
In this paper we will examine some ethical aspects of the role that computers and computing increasingly play in new genetics. Our claim is that there is no new genetics without computer science. Computer science is important for the new genetics on two levels: (1) from a theoretical perspective, and (2) from the point of view of geneticists practice. With respect to (1), the new genetics is fully impregnate with concepts that are basic for computer science. Regarding (2), recent developments in the Human Genome Project (HGP) have shown that computers shape the practices of molecular genetics; an important example is the Shotgun Method's contribution to accelerating the mapping of the human genome. A new challenge to the HGP is provided by the Open Source Philosophy (I computer science), which is another way computer technologies now influence the shaping of public policy debates involving genomics.
Marturano
Antonio
A
Centre for Leadership Studies, School of Business and Economics, University of Exeter, Streatham Court, Reenes Drive, Exeter EX 4 4PU, UK. antonio.marturano@ex.ac.uk
Chadwick
Ruth
R
D022126:Access to Information / Q000941:ethics*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000379:methods; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods*; D030541:Databases, Genetic / Q000941:ethics*; D005828:Genetics, Population; D015894:Genome, Human; D023281:Genomics / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods*; D016045:Human Genome Project / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D007221:Industry; D018973:Intellectual Property; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods; D010330:Patents as Topic; D017149:Private Sector; D017150:Public Sector; D012935:Social Justice; D012984:Software