Ethical Dimensions of Population Genetic Research in the Caucasus

Shengelia, Ramaz; Schurr, Theodore G

doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.5255332.v1

04383312041633hjbm.jpg (19.31 kB)

Ethical Dimensions of Population Genetic Research in the Caucasus

journal contribution

posted on 2017-07-28, 12:07 authored by Ramaz Shengelia, Theodore G Schurr

The emergence and establishment of anthropological genetics as an interdisciplinary science is primarily, associated with the development of new genomic technologies. Precision genetic testing on the one hand, and the rapidly increasing number of genetic investigations on the other, have created a set of bioethical dilemmas for genetic and epidemiology research. Such research deals with persons who have the right to the protection of their personal information and confidentiality, and also concerns collective (village, region, ethnic group, state) consciousness, ethnic identity, and traditional culture, i.e., so called “ethnic pride”. In this regard, taking into consideration the results of ongoing field research, we make some recommendations for better management of relationships with individuals and communities and the preparation of questionnaires and informed consent forms that will facilitate similar research projects, especially in such an ethnically, linguistically and culturally diverse region such as the Caucasus.