Genetic Information and the Family in Japan

Darryl RJ Macer, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba Science City, Japan

Published online: September 2006

DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0005587

Historical fears over the use of genetic information in Japan cause rural people to hide the presence of genetic disease in their family. In urban and modern Japan, this image is changing and genetic counseling is gradually being introduced. Guidelines of the Japan Society of Human Genetics attempt to protect the clients and their families.

Keywords: privacy; Japan; Asia; family; discrimination

 References
    Chen Ng MA, Takeda C, Watanabe T and Macer D (2000) Attitudes of the public and scientists to biotechnology in Japan at the start of 2000. Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics 106: 106–113.
    book Kawashima H (1992) "Different client's response at genetic clinics in Japan and the USA, and its ethical background". In: Fujiki N and Macer DRJ (eds.) Human Genome Research and Society, pp. 145–146. Christchurch, New Zealand: Eubios Ethics Institute.
    book Macer DRJ (1992) Attitudes to Genetic Engineering: Japanese and International Comparisons. Christchurch, New Zealand: Eubios Ethics Institute.
    book Macer DRJ (1994) Bioethics for the People by the People. Christchurch, New Zealand: Eubios Ethics Institute.
    Macer DRJ (1999) Bioethics in and from Asia. Journal of Medical Ethics 25: 293–295.
    Macer D, Niimura Y, Umeno T and Wakai K (1996) Bioethical attitudes of Japanese university doctors, and members of Japan Association of Bioethics. Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics 6: 33–48.
    Maekawa F and Macer D (1999) The Japanese concept of familial privacy and genetic information. Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics 9: 66–69.
    book Matsuda I (2001) "Guidelines for genetic testing". In: Fujiki N, Sudo M and Macer D (eds.) Bioethics and the Impact of Human Genome Research in the 21st Century. Christchurch, New Zealand: Eubios Ethics Institute.
    Matsuda I and Suzumori K (2000) Prenatal genetic testing in Japan. Community Genetics 3: 12–16.
    Morioka M (1999) Commentary on Maekawa and Macer. Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics 9: 69–70.
 Further Reading
    book Fujiki N and Macer DRJ (eds.) (1994) Intractable Neurological Disorders, Human Genome Research and Society. Christchurch, New Zealand: Eubios Ethics Institute.
    book Fujiki N and Macer DRJ (eds.) (1998) Bioethics in Asia. Christchurch, New Zealand: Eubios Ethics Institute.
    book Macer DRJ (1998) "Ethics and prenatal diagnosis". In: Milunsky A (ed.) Genetic Disorders and the Fetus: Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment, pp. 999–1024. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press.
    book Macer DRJ (1998) Bioethics is Love of Life. Christchurch, New Zealand: Eubios Ethics Institute.
 Web Links
    ePath Eubios Ethics Institute Publisher articles online http://www.biol.tsukuba.ac.jp/~macer/index.html

Related Sub-Topics:

Genetic Counseling | General Genetics and Disease | Bioethics
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Article Title: Genetic Information and the Family in Japan
 
How to Cite close
Macer, Darryl RJ(Sep 2006) Genetic Information and the Family in Japan. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0005587]