From stem cell research to cloning organisms, gene technology has always been a sensitive issue with very strong ethical concerns. The latest controversial topic involving gene technology is the UK 'Biobank' in which scientists will attempt to analyse how the genetic, behavioural and environmental information affects the health of 500,000 participants aged 40-69 throughout the United Kingdom. Scientists from the UK Biobank claim that the results gathered over 20 years from this large-scale experiment will provide information to amplify the knowledge of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and diseases.
The United Kingdom is not the first to initiate a Biobank with Taiwan and Japan also running their own Biobank. However, unlike Taiwan and Japan the UK Biobank has given way to public discussion in which opinion has been regarded highly. Whilst participation in the UK Biobank is completely voluntary, there are some ethical issues associated with the experiment. Initially blood, genetic and urine sampled will be collected from participants and whilst tests are non-invasive, exploitation of the information retrieved is what is being feared among communities. Access to information such as medical history, daily routines, family history and personal details will be carefully controlled and monitored, however if this information is made available to the broader community, or an unauthorised access occurs issues such as blackmail, intimidation and threats could arise.
Whilst UK Biobank might be considered in a pessimistic light, it could provide cures for diseases such as dementia, heart disease, cancer and joint problems. Like gene technology, the UK Biobank will always face ethical issues and this is something that scientists must always trudge through in order to achieve medical advances.
For more information on the UK Biobank, visit:
1. http://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/
2. http://www.genewatch.org/
