Law and Human Genetics

Subject LAWS70265 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

May, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Corequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Coordinator

Prof Loane Skene

Contact

For more information, contact the Melbourne Law Masters office.

Email law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone +61 3 8344 6190.

Alternatively, visit our website:

www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Principal topics will include:

  • General principles concerning a health professional’s legal duty to inform patients, to obtain consent for proposed procedures and to maintain confidentiality
  • A person’s ‘right’ to privacy and limitations on it
  • Legal issues concerning the taking and use of tissue for genetic testing and research
  • Legal controls on the use of genetic information and principles of unlawful discrimination
  • Recent proposals concerning cloning and embryonic stem cell research and government responses.
Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Understand the legal and ethical requirements for consent to genetic testing
  • Understand the nature and amount of information needed before a person is tested
  • Be aware of the different issues when testing is routine or for population screening rather than when requested for a patient or relative
  • Understand the law protecting the confidentiality of genetic information
  • Have considered the potential legal liability of health professionals in this field
  • Be familiar with the debates concerning the ownership of organs and tissue
  • Have examined the options for regulating the development and application of genetic testing and treatment
  • Be able to argue that a particular regulatory system should be adopted.
Assessment:

Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date

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