"There is a lot of concern about freedom of choice in screening. Patenting should be restricted, and the ownership of DNA by companies is worrying," Weatherall said.
As one example, he cited the genetic makeup of rice, which is owned by one company and could have a large impact, especially on the poorer countries of the world.
Weatherall emphasized the need for global dialogue.
"With our western society norms we probably don't understand most problems of other societies," he said.
He cited his work in Sri Lanka, where genetic screening programs
"would be a disaster," noting that most marriages on the island country are arranged.
He mentioned the United Kingdom's agreement to screen for Huntington's disease, but added that he thinks the ability to make very accurate predictions for genetic characterics is light years away, except in the case of monogenic diseases.
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