Round Table Discussion 'Gene Therapy and Society' -- Summary and Conclusions

Abstract

An international group consisting of scientists, physicians, and one lawyer reported on the problems of gene therapy with regard to society in their respective countries and discussed ethical, legal and scientific aspects of gene therapy. Ethical questions and fear in society were addressed by Dr Odenbach, former Secretary General of the German Medical Association, member of the German Parliamentary Enquiry Commission, 'Prospects and Risks of Gene Technology' and present adviser of the Ethical Committee of the World Medical Association, and by PH Hofschneider, Professor of Virology at the Max-Planck-Institut for Biochemistry, Munich, with a long-time strong interest in medical ethics; legal aspects were addressed by H Hausheer, Professor of Civil Law with many years experience in constitutional law and jurisdiction in Switzerland. Medical and scientific aspects were discussed by R Strohman, Emeritus Professor of Molecular Biology, Berkeley, USA, F Takaku, President of the International Medical Center of Japan and Chairman of the Central Evaluation Committee of the Japanese government for gene therapy, Tokyo and J Goldman, Professor of Leukemia Biology at Hammersmith Hospital, London, and known for this pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation. The discussion was moderated by R Hehlmann, Professor of Medicine at the University of Heidelberg and member of the World Committee of the International Association.