Human Genetics & Genomics
Genetics and Genomics research can help us understand the molecular causes of disease. Technologies to sequence or edit DNA can become powerful tools to diagnose and treat diseases, yet they also raise important ethical, legal and social issues.
Genetics and Genomics: Impact on society
New and improved technologies for genetic and genomic research are slowly making their way from research to patients and consumers. This raises ethical, legal and social questions for both individuals and society.
New technologies such as next generation sequencing make it possible to test individuals and screen large populations more efficiently. Genetic testing for screening (e.g. carrier or newborn screening), or treatment guidance (pharmacogenomics), as well as genetic tools for DNA editing may have important social and economic impact. The SIENNA project looks at the ethical, legal and social issues related to the use of these new technologies in research and in the clinic.
Human Enhancement
Technology can enhance our physical, cognitive, emotional and moral abilities. Challenging the boundaries between health and illness, treatment and enhancement, normality and abnormality.
Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
We interact with robots, smart devices, intelligent software, prosthetics and implants. We can benefit enormously from interacting with machines. But there are significant ethical challenges.
Ethical impact of technology
We use a model for ethical impact assessment that takes technological conceptualisation, socio-economic and ethical impact into account.