Genetics and Human Behaviour: the Ethical Context
Published: Fri, 27 September 2002Researchers in the field of behavioural genetics are attempting to locate specific genes, or groups of genes, associated with behavioural traits and to understand the complex relationship between genes and the environment.
This Report considers the ethical, legal and social issues that are raised by research into behavioural genetics. It focuses on human behaviour within the normal range of variation, looking at traits such as intelligence, antisocial behaviour, personality and sexual orientation.
After discussing the historical and scientific background to this research, the Report considers its implications and possible applications. It considers the issues raised by changing or selecting behavioural traits on the basis of genetic information and examines the possible uses of such information in the criminal justice system, and in the contexts of education, employment and insurance.
Last Updated Thu, 7 September 2006
