Avard D., Harmsen E., "Informed Consent and Multiplex Genetic Screening", Encyclopedia of Life Sciences (Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., 2010)
Abstract: Recent advances in genome-wide genotyping together with new technologies provide unprecedented opportunities for multiplex screening. These advances provide insight into diseases, hold promises to improve clinical practices to address lifestyle changes, inform reproductive decisions, identify newborns at risk as well as possibly move genetic screening out of the realm of the clinics into direct-to-consumer market forces. Advances in multiplex genetic screening raise ethical issues with regard to consent. Some of the concerns that may arise include how to: manage the incidental and excess information; integrate information about susceptibility testing into the clinic, given the complexity of the information; address the psychosocial impact and educate health professionals about the meaning of the results. If multiplex screening is used in genomic research and made available in the clinic, each ethical issue deserves consideration in the consent process and should be discussed.

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Bédard K., Wallace S., Lazor S., Knoppers B.M., "Potential Conflicts in Governance Mechanisms used in Population Biobanks", in Kaye J. & Stranger M. (eds.) Principles and Practice in Biobank Governance (United Kingdom: Ashgate, 2009)
Abstract: [None Available]

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Bombard Y., Miller F.A., Hayeems R.Z., Avard D., Knoppers B.M., "Reconsidering reproductive benefit through newborn screening: a systematic review of guidelines on preconception, prenatal and newborn screening", (2010) 18:7 European Journal of Human Genetics, 751
Abstract: The expansion of newborn screening (NBS) has been accompanied by debate about what benefits should be achieved and the role of parental discretion in their pursuit. The opportunity to inform parents of reproductive risks is among the most valued additional benefits gained through NBS, and assumes prominence where the primary goal of identifying a treatable condition is not assured. We reviewed 53 unique guidelines addressing prenatal, preconception and newborn screening to examine: (1) how generating reproductive risk information is construed as a benefit of screening; and (2) what conditions support the realization of this benefit. Most preconception and prenatal guidelines – where generating reproductive risk information is described as a primary benefit – required that individuals be given a ‘cascade of choices’, ensuring that each step in the decision-making process was well informed, from deciding to pursue information about reproductive risks to deciding how to manage them. With the exception of three guidelines, NBS policy infrequently attended to the potential for reproductive benefits; further, most guidelines that acknowledged such benefits construed voluntarism narrowly, without attention to the choices attendant on receiving reproductive risk information. This review suggests that prenatal and preconception guidance identifies a coherent framework to support the pursuit of reproductive benefits through population screening programmes. Interestingly, attention to reproductive benefits is increasing among NBS guidance, yet reflection on how such benefits ought to be pursued remains limited. Traditional norms for NBS may require reconsideration where the remit of screening exceeds the primary goal of clinical benefits for infants.

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Bordet S., Bennett J., Knoppers B.M., McNagny K.M., "The changing landscape of human-animal chimera research: A Canadian regulatory perspective", (2010) 4 Stem Cell Research, 10, online: URL
Abstract: [None Available]

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Isasi R.M., Knoppers B.M., "Towards Commonality? Policy Approaches to Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in Europe", in Plomer A. & Torremans P. (eds.) Embryonic Stem Cell Patents: European Law and Ethics (London: Oxford University Press, 2009)
Abstract: [None Available]

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Kirby E., Lévesque E., Avard D., "MIREC’s Biobank - Ethical Considerations", (2009) 5 MIREC Newsletter, 10
Abstract: [None available]

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Knoppers B.M., "Genetics: From Fate to Fortune-Telling", (Fall 2009) WOA Alumni Magazine, 15, online: URL
Abstract: The word 'genetics' conjures up Mendel's peas, the film Jurassic Park or Gattaca, and today, a mail-order Internet "know your genes" service. Whether it is the importance placed on one's biological origins and family tree, or DNA tests that free wrongly convicted persons, genetics is slowly integrating into our lives, not only our imaginations.

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