NCJ Number
180929
Journal
Judicature Volume: 83 Issue: 3 Dated: November-December 1999 Pages: 157-161
Date Published
1999
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the need for judicial education regarding genetics and biotechnologies; the series of judicial training workshops developed by the Einstein Institute for Science, Health, and the Courts (EINSHAC); and an impact evaluation of the Western States Genetics in the Courtroom Conference, the 9th in a series of 16 conferences.
Abstract
The legal implications of many new developments in biotechnology will increasingly require judges to adjudicate controversies in genetics and biotechnology. EINSHAC has developed a series of conferences to orient 2,003 judges by the year 2003 to evidence from genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology. The three types of conferences are: (1) Basic genetics training for Federal and State judges; (2) Specialized conferences on behavioral genetics, biomarkers, and biological property; and (3) Policy courts conferences for justices and judges of reviewing forums. Participation in the conferences appears to have a significant ripple effect and other useful impacts, but must be subjected to better tests as the series proceeds. The results of the impact evaluation also raise the issue of whether judicial temperament is itself influenced by genetic factors and whether part of future judicial selection will involve the testing with genetic screening technologies. The ethical, legal, and social issues surrounding future disputes related to biotechnologies will require Solomon's wisdom and Einstein's insight. Footnotes and illustration