International protection of human rights under the conditions of developments in biology and genetics

Abstract

Revolutionary technology, particularly in biology and genetics raised profound new ethical and human rights issues. Cloning, genetically modified organisms, organ transplants, new human reproduction technologies and biomedical research involving human subjects all give rise to fundamental questions about the nature and rights of the individuals. The list of specific issues to be mentioned to include the high controversy that they typically involve, including in such topics as abortion, the use of stem sells, euthanasia and so on. The absence for the most part of a global consensus on them raise a question of how they can be regulated at the international and national level.
The international community has tried to reply to these problems by the way of developing the universal principles, norms and standards that are applicable to all spheres of cooperation of states in connection with scientific and technological progress. The author considers their application. Naturally the article includes an analysis of those instruments which lay down specific standards regarding the issues. Of these, it reviews both those which set forth broad guidelines and those which contain binding norms.
There is a need for continuing technology assessment on the national and international level in order to assess possible side-effects of innovations and to establish whether their advantages outweigh discernable disadvantages, and for control over innovations with a harmful potential.
Further standards are likely to be elaborated and mechanisms to be established to ensure that research and its application in these areas are developed in a harmonious way that guarantees human rights for all.