The Modern Interface Between Law, Technology, Science & Medicine

An exploration of the relationship between law, technology and science is necessary in determining a regulatory discourse. This project captures the complexities raised by law and technology, with a particular focus on human genome editing.

Global connection

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (‘CRISPR’) technology represents a vast horizon of untold possibility for generations to come. The alleged birth of the world’s first “CRISPR Babies” prompted international discussions on Heritable Human Genome Editing.

This project interrogates the legal and bioethical issues required to advance a pathway forward for the regulation of Heritable Human Genome Editing in Australia.

Technological advancements will continue to challenge our laws and regulatory systems, confronting long-standing perceptions of medicine, disease, and identity. It is timely to assess the capability of our laws to respond to such advancements.

Project outputs

  • Olga C. Pandos, ‘Traversing Uncharted Territory? The Legislative and Regulatory Landscape of Heritable Human Genome Editing in Australia’ (2024) Federal Law Review (forthcoming).
  • Olga C. Pandos, ‘The Modern Interface of Law and Science: CRISPR Technology’ (PhD Thesis, University of Adelaide, forthcoming).
  • Olga C. Pandos, ‘Somatic genome editing therapies are becoming a reality – but debate over ethics, equitable access and governance continue’, The Conversation (2023).
  • Olga C. Pandos, ‘DIY Genetic Tests: A Product of Fact or Fallacy?’ (2020) 17(3) Journal of Bioethical Inquiry 319.