Jeffrey R. Botkin, MD, MPH
Professor, Department of Pediatrics; Adjunct Professor of Human Genetics
Adjunct Professor, Department of Internal Medicine - Division of Medical Ethics
University of Utah School of Medicine
Salt Lake City, Utah

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"Genetic Determinism and Genetic Exceptionalism"

Genetic exceptionalism is the concept that genetic information is qualitatively different than other forms of medical information. The implication of genetic exceptionalism is that genetic research requires a heightened level of scrutiny compared to many other types of biomedical research. This presentation outlines ways in which genetics poses important challenges for the conduct of research. These challenges are not unique to genetics. Characteristics that justify increased scrutiny for genetic and non-genetic protocols include potential impacts on others such as family members, risks for stigma or discrimination, predictive power for future illness, and the psychological impact of predictive information. A brief history of the social status of genetic information also will be presented.

Jeffrey R. Botkin, MD,MPH