Genetic Technologies and Ethics

In the past decade, the human genome has been completely sequenced and the knowledgefrom it has begun to influence the fields of biological and social sciences infundamental ways. identification of about 25000 genes in the human genome is expectedto create great benefits in diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the coming years.however, genetic technologies have also created many interesting and difficult ethicalissues which can affect the human societies now and in the future. application of genetictechnologies in the areas of stem cells, cloning, gene therapy, genetic manipulation, geneselection, sex selection and preimplantation diagnosis has created a great potential forthe human race to influence and change human life on earth as we know it today.therefore, it is important for leaders of societies in the modern world to pay attention tothe advances in genetic technologies and prepare themselves and those institutionsunder their command to face the challenges which these new technologies induce in theareas of ethics, law and social policies