This course is designed to cover a spectrum of issues related to genetic technology and research from various perspectives; legal, ethical, clinical, and commercial. It will cover such topics as patent law, technology transfer, conflict of interests as researchers develop commercial interests, privacy and control of genetic data, the nature of the doctor/patient relationship in genetics, insurance, informed consent and nondirectiveness, employment and other forms of discrimination, and gene therapy, among others areas of interest. Class time will be devoted to discussion of assigned readings and presentation by guest speakers. Students will be asked to write a number of short papers throughout the semester, which will be the primary determinant of their grades for the course. There will be no exam.