The Universal Declaration on Human Genome and Human Rights.

The Universal Declaration on Human Genome and Human Rights, which has been adopted by the Unesco General Conference on 11 November 1997, constitutes t he first world-wide text applying the principles of human rights to genetic s. This is a decisive step in the development of international bioethics la ws after the signature in April 1997 of the European Council convention on 'Human Rights and Biomedicine'. Through the choice of a declaration without constraint and avoiding a treaty with enforcement, Unesco had the objectiv e to open this text to ail cultures around the world. The declaration was a lso aimed at stating long-term universal principles that can adapt to the n umerous scientific advances lying ahead. Its content ratifies the pre-emine nce of human beings, their dignity and freedom, above all other considerati on. Within the scope of the Unesco commit ment against new forms of racism related to scientific advances, this text works on the principle of refusal of any discrimination related to genetic features. The consensus which has been expressed by the 187 states involved in the Unesco conference has gre at potential, as it indicates awareness of ethical stakes and social advanc es in genetics which from now on respond to research internationalization. The credibility of the Declaration has also been reinforeed, in a decisive manner, by the United States which has formally supported the text, even th ough it is no longer a member of Unesco. The Various states must now implem ent it via the elaboration of laws, the creation of ethics committees and t he development of education programs focusing on bioethics.