Book contents
- Human Germline Genome Modification and the Right to Science
- Human Germline Genome Modification and the Right to Science
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Notes on Contributors
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Governance of Human (Germline) Genome Modification at the International and Transnational Levels
- The Regulation of Genome Modification at the National Level
- Part I North America
- Part II Europe
- 6 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Europe
- 7 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in the United Kingdom
- 8 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Germany
- 9 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Belgium
- 10 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Sweden
- 11 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in the Netherlands
- 12 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Italy
- 13 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Spain
- 14 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in France
- 15 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Switzerland
- Part III Asia
- Part IV Other OECD Countries
- Part V Conclusions
- Index
15 - The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Switzerland
from Part II - Europe
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 November 2019
- Human Germline Genome Modification and the Right to Science
- Human Germline Genome Modification and the Right to Science
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Notes on Contributors
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Governance of Human (Germline) Genome Modification at the International and Transnational Levels
- The Regulation of Genome Modification at the National Level
- Part I North America
- Part II Europe
- 6 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Europe
- 7 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in the United Kingdom
- 8 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Germany
- 9 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Belgium
- 10 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Sweden
- 11 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in the Netherlands
- 12 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Italy
- 13 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Spain
- 14 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in France
- 15 The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Switzerland
- Part III Asia
- Part IV Other OECD Countries
- Part V Conclusions
- Index
Summary
The use of genetic technologies for reproductive, farming, agricultural and scientific purposes has long been a matter of public concern in Switzerland. As a result of a series of legislative initiatives at the federal level, as well as of popular referenda, the country developed one of the most restrictive regulatory environments in Europe for research, potentially leading to human germline genome modification. In particular, any genetic manipulation of reproductive cells or embryos is strictly forbidden, regardless its intended purpose. This chapter will illustrate the way constitutional- and federal-level legislation, as well as international law and regulatory provisions rigidly constrain research activities that could potentially lead to genetic alterations in humans and their progeny. In such a restrictive context, it is highly unlikely that recent technical advances in genetic engineering and genome editing will be employed to produce germline genome modifications for either medical or purely scientific purposes. Furthermore, while the Swiss National Advisory Commission for Biomedical Ethics has recently expressed partial support for basic research possibly involving the genetic modification of human embryos, there are currently no indications that legislative initiatives will be undertaken to ease current regulations on such controversial matters.
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- Human Germline Genome Modification and the Right to ScienceA Comparative Study of National Laws and Policies, pp. 409 - 438Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2020
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