Closing Chapter

Abstract

The closing chapter reframes the initial questions posed in this book in a fresh manner, aimed at providing a clear statement of the main arguments and the final positions reached. An imaginary conversation with a San leader leads to the extraction of three overall questions which should be answered in the affirmative when engaging in genetic research with vulnerable peoples. Firstly, is there fair treatment? Secondly, is there a fair deal? And thirdly, is there assurance that the research will cause no harm? After discussing each of these, a diagram depicts the three overall questions, against the main ethical principles applicable to genetic research, in relation to the two primary forms of enquiry, namely into the outcome of the research, and into the procedure followed. The book concludes with a decisive reply to the statement on exploitation posed by the imaginary critic in the first chapter.

The lion may well lie down with the lamb, but the lamb will not get a good night’s rest.

(Attributed to Woody Allen)