ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND SOCIAL ISSUES (ELSI) IN GENETICS 🎗️
"Genetics is relevant to all of medicine." - Dr. Victor A. McKusick 🧬 Advances in genetics have transformed medicine, agriculture, and biomedical research. Technologies such as genetic testing, whole-genome sequencing, and CRISPR-Cas9 enable earlier diagnosis, precision medicine, and disease prevention. However, these advances also raise important ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI). Scientific progress must be balanced with respect for privacy, equity, and human dignity. 🔹 Respect for individual autonomy begins with informed consent. People undergoing genetic testing should understand its purpose, benefits, limitations, and possible consequences. Because genetic information may affect both individuals and their biological relatives, confidentiality is essential. Genetic counseling before and after testing supports informed decisions and responsible care. 🔹 Legal safeguards are equally important. Policies should protect against genetic discrimination while...