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The first part of this essay evaluates the contemporary focus of the genetic revolution seen as such through the Human Genome Initiative - a project which brings not only great hope for new advancements of genetic knowledge designed to control disease and minimize human suffering, but raises real fears of unabated invasions of personal privacy that in turn would lead to discrimination for those found to be genetically handicapped. The extent to which this central fear is justified or rational is justified within the present context of the Genome Initiative, together with the past practices of genetic screening, will then be probed. Next, the four basic types of genetic engineering available for use will be discussed as a background for analyzing the impact of these technologies have on society's pre-occupation with biological determinism and thus genetic testing and gene therapy as tools for achieving genetic determinism. The ethical and philosophical conundrums created by the new genetics will in turn be considered with the realization that the theories for resolving these issues impact directly upon the formation of legal norms. The essay then explores in depth constitutional and legislative protections for individuals who, as a result of particular genetic makeup, might be subject to discrimination. To this end, it first examines safeguards from discrimination based on genotype afforded to individuals under the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution and proceeds to examine in the second part the extent to which the confidentiality of genetic material is protected by the fundamental right to privacy derived from the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Finally, the essay analyzes the Human Genome Privacy Act, one legislative attempt to afford individuals protection from discrimination based upon genotype. With the recent enactment by Congress in May, 2008, of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 - seen by some as the first major civil rights legislation of the 21st century - it is hoped that Americans will now be assured that getting tested for genetic disease and embracing new genetic treatment when appropriate, will not subject them to employment discrimination. This legislation will bar health insurance companies from using genetic information to set premiums or determine enrollment eligibility. Similarly, employers could not use genetic information in hiring, firing or promotion decisions. The general conclusion of this essay is that while there are, to be sure, risks associated with the pursuit and development of the new genetics, man's dehumanization and depersonalization will not be fostered as a consequence of the Human Genome Initiative. Rather, so long as science pursues its basic quest for knowledge with the purpose of establishing truth and integrity and with promoting the goal of minimizing human suffering and maximizing social good, then, the noble integrity of evolution and genetic progress will be preserved and irrational fears of eugenic supremacy advanced through programs of genetic screening dispelled. Restraining scientific inquiry and the application of its results should be limited only to actions considered unreasonable.

This report provides an overview of the nature of genetic information and its implications for individuals, family, and society. Individuals utilize genetic information to guide health care and other decisions, when possible, and may experience anxiety as a result of genetic test results. Genetic test results for an individual may often be informative for other close family members and thus influence their care decisions. Society must grapple with the effect genetic information may have on our conception of disease, as well as its impact on issues like privacy and equity. The report ends by summarizing the main policy issues involved with a genetic exceptionalist approach to public policy, including defining genetic information; physically separating genetic information from other medical information; unintended disparities between "genetic" and "nongenetic" disease; and the effect of legislation on participation in genetic research, on uptake of genetic technology and on the delivery of high quality health care.

Chapter 1. Will genetic engineering benefit society? -- Yes : genetic engineering will benefit society. Biotechnology will benefit society / Gregory Stock -- Genetic engineering will improve human health / William Haseltine -- Genetic enhancement can improve humanity / World Transhumanist Association -- No : genetic engineering will not benefit society. Biotechnology has failed to live up to expectations / Stephen Leahy -- Genetic engineering diminishes respect for human life / Erwin W. Lutzer -- Genetic engineering will lead to greater inequality / Maxwell J. Mehlman -- Chapter 2. Will genetic engineering improve food and farming? -- Yes : genetic engineering will improve food and farming. Genetically engineered crops can end world hunger / C.S. Prakash, Gregory Conko -- The risks of genetically modified foods have been exaggerated / Dick Taverne -- Genetically engineered crops protect the environment / Jonathan Rauch -- No : genetic engineering will not improve food and farming. Genetically engineered crops will not end world hunger / Craig Holdrege -- Genetically modified foods are unsafe to eat / Institute for Responsible Technology -- Genetically engineered crops are a danger to the environment / Genetically Engineered Food Alert -- Chapter 3. Is

After a decade of development, genetic algorithms and genetic programming have become a widely accepted toolkit for computational finance. Genetic Algorithms and Genetic Programming in Computational Finance is a pioneering volume devoted entirely to a systematic and comprehensive review of this subject. Chapters cover various areas of computational finance, including financial forecasting, trading strategies development, cash flow management, option pricing, portfolio management, volatility modeling, arbitraging, and agent-based simulations of artificial stock markets. Two tutorial chapters are also included to help readers quickly grasp the essence of these tools. Finally, a menu-driven software program, Simple GP, accompanies the volume, which will enable readers without a strong programming background to gain hands-on experience in dealing with much of the technical material introduced in this work

Cover Page -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Foreword -- Introduction: A Scientific Revolution -- Chapter 1: Pharming: The Disease or the Cure? -- Chapter 2: Genetically Engineered Foods: Whose Appetite Do They Satisfy? -- Chapter 3: From Fabric to Fuel -- Chapter 4: Designer Babies -- Chapter 5: Extreme Genetic Engineering: The Future -- Notes -- Discussion Questions -- Organizations to Contact -- For More Information -- Index -- Picture Credits -- About the Author -- Back Cover

Current federal and state law is inadequate to protect employees from employer's misuse of their genetic information. Genetic information is knowledge of a person's genome that indicates a predisposition towards an illness, disease, or medical condition, where symptoms of the condition have yet to manifest themselves. Federal law protections are insufficient, and relevant state laws vary in their scope and application. Not only are employees unevenly protected across the United States, but varying standards also make complying with the law difficult for interstate employees. To give employees sufficient protection and to facilitate employer compliance, Congress should pass a law specifically addressing genetic discrimination in the workplace. The law should have broad applicability, prohibit employers from using workers' genetic information in employment decisions, have limited exceptions for employer's requests for genetic information, enhance employee privacy protections, and create a private right of action. Both the House and the Senate reintroduced identical Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Acts ("the bill"). This law provides employees with more protection than many similar state laws, while sufficiently protecting employers from being penalized for collecting genetic information in well-defined circumstances. This current proposed federal legislation incorporates many of the protections and exceptions necessary to create a thorough, fair, and effective genetic nondiscrimination law. To be complete, however, the bill should extend its coverage to both licensing organizations and employers acting as self-insurers. Additionally, the bill fails to include certain necessary protections and may not sufficiently anticipate future developments in genetic testing. Because the bill is relatively close to passing, lawmakers should keep it in its current form and eliminate its weaknesses by amending it in subsequent Congressional sessions.