Entwicklung des österreichischen Gentechnikgesetzes: Policy-Analyse im Hinblick auf die Genanalyse am Menschen und genetische Beratung

Abstract: This study shall contribute to a better understanding of the development and implementation of the Gene Technology Act 1994 (GTA) and its reform in 2005. The paper focuses on the regulation of genetic counselling in postnatal predictive genetic diagnostics on humans. Research addresses the following questions: In which way does the GTA regulate genetic diagnostics of humans, in particular with regards to genetic counselling? How did relevant actors in the early 1990s negotiate and regulate genetic diagnostics? Which actors were relevant in this respect? Which political processes led to the GTA? After discussing data and sources used in the analysis, the paper presents the relevant regulations of the GTG and sketches the typical process of Austrian law development. Moreover different stages and processes in the development of the GTA are described (informal and formal consultation of the draft bill by privileged stakeholders, parliamentary enquete commission, governmental bill, parliamentary commission and sub-commission and plenum of the National Assembly).;