Advances in the field of genetics, especially with the sequencing of the human genome, have led to numerous applications and promising further research. Genetic data are useful for disease prevention, medical diagnosis, and medical treatments. Genetic analysis can also be used as a means of identification by forensic scientists, most notably in criminal justice systems. This has led to the creation of genetic databanks containing samples from millions of people. Due to this rapid rise of interest in the field of genetics, concerns have surfaced about the potential for the use human genetic data in applications that conflict with basic human rights and freedoms. There is thus a pressing need for international guidelines addressing this critical bioethical issue: the use of DNA genetics in protecting human rights.
Organ trade is essentially the trade involving human organs for transplantation. Possibly as a result of regulations on the worldwide trade of organs, there is a shortage of organs available for transplantation. The demand for human organs has grown due to increased lifespans, more accurate medical diagnoses of organ failure cases, and improved success rate of organ transplants. Trafficking in human tissue is thus a major issue, as the world’s poorest person can earn an average of $5,000 for selling an organ. In disaster-affected areas, this is further exacerbated by the basic human need and desire to survive; the readiness of a person to sell their organs and their vulnerability to exploitation increase together. This year, the HRC will tackle the problem of developing a comprehensive framework to prevent these illegal transfers.