Skip Navigation

Health: Genomics

Follow SciDev.Net on Twitter

Find us on Facebook

Key Documents

  • Print
  • Comment
  • | Share

Statement of the WHO Expert Consultation on New Developments in Human Genetics

Publication date: 2000

Source: Human Genetics Programme, World Health Organisation

31 March 2004 | EN

In 2000 the World Health Organisation (WHO) undertook a consultation exercise involving both invited experts in human genetics and staff members, to review WHO’s activities in human genetics, identify challenges and priorities for WHO, and assess the future role of the organisation in genetics.

The paper briefly outlines WHO's role as a leader in health-related issues, and emphasises its need to provide policies on human genetics quickly and decisively. It includes a short statement that underlines the importance of applying knowledge from the human genome in an ethical way, with "due regard to autonomy, justice, education, and the beliefs and resources of each nation and community".

Priority recommendations for WHO include:

  • Developing its capacity to offer a global response to the ethical, legal and social issues posed by the revolution in human genetics
  • Convening a public, high-level meeting to consider these issues and to stimulate global dialogue
  • Ensuring the establishment of a genetic resource centre
  • Encouraging all nations to set up genetic services and prepare for future needs.
  • Developing international norms and standards for genetic testing and other health-related gene technologies
  • Considering the implications of the use of experimental transgenic animals, possible hazards from zenotransplantation to humans, and relevant issues arising from the development of these and other genetically modified organisms

    •  

    Go to key document

    Add your comment

    This is your network: share your views on any of our articles by adding your comments.

    You need to be signed in to post a comment or to email a consenting comment author. Please sign in or sign up.

    All comments are subject to approval and we reserve the right to edit comments containing inappropriate/unsuitable language. SciDev.Net holds copyright for all material posted on the website. Please see terms of use for further details.

    All SciDev.Net material is free to reproduce providing that the source and author are appropriately credited. For further details see Creative Commons.

    Back to Key Documents
    To the top

    Artemisia annua by Flickr/scamperdale

    Malaria drug boost

    Copious amounts of artemisinin have been made from a lowly by-product of its extraction process
    Biomed analysis logo

    Eradication success

    Elements of India's successful polio strategy could work for other countries and diseases, writes Priya Shetty