Human genetic research, race, ethnicity and the labeling of populations: recommendations based on an interdisciplinary workshop in Japan.
BMC Med Ethics
; 15: 33, 2014 Apr 23.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24758583
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
A challenge in human genome research is how to describe the populations being studied. The use of improper and/or imprecise terms has the potential to both generate and reinforce prejudices and to diminish the clinical value of the research. The issue of population descriptors has not attracted enough academic attention outside North America and Europe. In January 2012, we held a two-day workshop, the first of its kind in Japan, to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue between scholars in the humanities, social sciences, medical sciences, and genetics to begin an ongoing discussion of the social and ethical issues associated with population descriptors.DISCUSSION:
Through the interdisciplinary dialogue, we confirmed that the issue of race, ethnicity and genetic research has not been extensively discussed in certain Asian communities and other regions. We have found, for example, the continued use of the problematic term, "Mongoloid" or continental terms such as "European," "African," and "Asian," as population descriptors in genetic studies. We, therefore, introduce guidelines for reporting human genetic studies aimed at scientists and researchers in these regions.CONCLUSION:
We need to anticipate the various potential social and ethical problems entailed in population descriptors. Scientists have a social responsibility to convey their research findings outside of their communities as accurately as possible, and to consider how the public may perceive and respond to the descriptors that appear in research papers and media articles.
Texto completo:
1
Ejes tematicos:
Pesquisa_clinica
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Etnicidad
/
Proyecto Genoma Humano
/
Comunicación Interdisciplinaria
/
Investigación Genética
/
Investigación Biomédica
/
Grupos Raciales
/
Informe de Investigación
Tipo de estudio:
Guideline
/
Qualitative_research
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País como asunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article