The Human Genome Project and Minority Communities

Zilinskas and Balint and their contributors examine the divisions between minority groups and the scientific community particularly in the area of medical and genetic research. Minorities have reasons to be skeptical of medical research in general and genetics research in particular. The sad history of the Tuskegee experiment in which black men with syphilis were left untreated so that the course of the disease could be studied undermined confidence in the ethics of medical researchers. More recently publication of The Bell Curve reanimated controversy over purported genetic distinctions among the races that could have powerfully negative social implications contrast as the essays make clear the Human Genome Project conducted in accordance with the highest ethical standards has the potential to make dramatic positive contributions to the health of all human beings. Members of minority communities in particularwho statistically are at high risk of adverse health outcomes in the United Stateshave much to gain from innovative medical diagnostics and therapies that will result from the study of human genetics. Therefore if we are to benefit fully from this new knowledge it is vital that the distrust skepticism and misconceptions relating to genetics research be overcome. This is a provocative collection for scholars students researchers and community leaders involved with minority and public health issues.