Regulation of Genetic and Other Health Information in a Comparative Perspective

In the present article, the authors provide a general overview of the academic and legal debate on the regulation of access to and use of genetic information by nonmedical actors. Their aim is to give some insight in the academic views on the need to introduce specific genetics legislation and on the balance that might be struck between the various interests concerned. Furthermore, by analyzing relevant legislation and policy measures in the US and in Europe, they identify the issues that are deemed relevant in considering and, eventually, introducing regulative measures with respect to genetic information.