[Scope of the cause of justification of the legitimate exercise of a right in the area of genetic criminality]. / El alcance de la causa de justificación de ejercicio legítimo de un derecho en el ámbito de la criminalidad genética.

The Spanish penal Code of 1995 creates various crimes in relation to biotechnology, namely, the offence of genetic manipulation, the offence of cloning and the offence of fertilization of human eggs for purpose others than procreation. These new offences seek to protect new legal interests. But besides these interests, we must not forget that there also exist certain rights of the person that rely on reproductive and genetic technologies to be fully effective. That is why it is inevitable to bring to the discussion other interests of a different nature that may be in conflict with these new legal interests. This is the case in relation to the right to procreate and the right to scientific research. According to Article 20.7 of the Spanish penal Code, a person may justifiably engage in conduct that satisfies the elements of an offence if he has a right to do so. In this work the author analyses if certain conduct that could harm some legal interests, and therefore would be criminally punishable could be justified on the basis of the abovementioned rights to procreate and to undertake scientific research.

El alcance de la causa de justificación de ejercicio legítimo de un derecho en el ámbito de la criminalidad genética / No disponible

El Código penal de 1995 califica como delitos una serie de conductas relativas a la biotecnología, como son el delito de manipulación genética, el delito de clonación o el delito de fecundación de óvulos humanos con fines distintos a la procreación. Estas figuras delictivas de nueva creación pretenden proteger novedosos bienes jurídicos. Pero además de estos intereses, no debemos olvidarnos de que también existen ciertos derechos de las personas que para ser plenamente efectivos ven en la genética una potencialidad hasta ahora desconocida. Por ello es inevitable traer a la discusión otros intereses distintos que podrían estar en juego y entrar en colisión con aquéllos. Este es el caso del derecho a la procreación del derecho a la investigación científica. En este trabajo se analiza si ciertas conductas lesivas de algún bien jurídico y sancionadas penalmente pueden, en ciertos casos, no ser antijurídicas por realizarse amparadas por la causa de justificación de obrar en el ejercicio legítimo de un derecho (eximente recogida en el art. 20.7 CP) (AU)

The Spanish penal Code of 1995 creates various crimes in relation to biotechnology, namely, the offence of genetic manipulation, the offence of cloning and the offence of fertilization of human eggs for purpose other than procreation. Theses new offences seek to protect new legal interests. But besides these interests, we must not forget that there also exist certain rights of the person that rely on reproductive and genetic technologies to be fully effective. That is why it is inevitable to bring to the discussion other interests of a different nature that may be in conflict with these new legal interests. This is the case in relation to the right to procreate and the right to scientific research. According to Article 20.7 of the Spanish penal Code, a person may justifiably engage in conduct that satisfies the elements of an offence if he has a right to do so. In this work the author analyses if certain conduct that could harm some legal interests, and therefore would be criminally punishable could be justified on the basis on the abovementioned rights to procreate and to undertake scientific research (AU)

Pharmacogenetic testing: legal considerations for consent, privacy and disclosure.

This review provides an overview of the European legal framework relating to the protection of sensitive data obtained from pharmacogenetic tests. The primary objective of pharmacogenetic testing is neither diagnosis nor prediction of disease, but determining likely responses to medicines based on specific genetic factors. Nevertheless, pharmacogenetic testing can lead to the disclosure of sensitive information and, as a consequence, it is argued that consent is a prerequisite. It is further argued that appropriate protection for privacy and confidentiality is crucial, but that disclosure may be justified in certain exceptional circumstances. This article describes the various European legislative instruments that provide useful guidance on the types of circumstances when disclosure may be justified.

Protection of genetic data in medical genetics: a legal analysis in the European context.

This article is based in three ideas, namely: 1. All the questions in the field of "privacy" and "confidentiality" derived from genetic tests only must be taken into account if we deal with "personal data". 2. When we are dealing with personal genetic data, two aspects must be especially guaranteed: a) the freedom and autonomy of the individual; and b) the duty of secrecy in order to protect the privacy of the person. 3. Some conflicts can appear between these two aspects and we have to deal with them. The author analyses the supranational European legislation referring to this topic, according to with, genetic privacy must be guarantee. He also notes how Genetic medicine can give rise to a variety of conflicts of interests, and points out how the different legal texts object of study deal with this issue.