Women's Health New Genetics (WHNG)

Explains the history of the Working Group on Women, Health and the New Genetics, and the goals of the national Strategic Workshop held on February 11 and 12, 2000 at York University in Toronto, Ontario.

Looks at the inconsistencies between the promises made in the name of biotechnology and the lived experience of most of the world's women.

Examines the challenge of genetics in relation to breast cancer. Introduces a new treatment protocol for breast cancer, herceptin or trastuzumab. Looks at its challenges, including its high price.

Outlines some of the contradictory ways that wealth and health interact in the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy.

Examines the new genetics and its potential impact on women's health.

Outlines the links that exist between cultural diversity and biological diversity.

Outlines research priorities which are intended as contributions to a strategy for building broader public debate.

Suggests that if the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy is left uncontested, provincial health services are likely to be overwhelmed by the activities of the pharmaceutical and device industries.

Examines the consequences of applying the qualifier "genetic" to health and to health care. Raises similar questions about the effects of identifying certain health matters as being about gender, as distinct from sex, pointing out how the increasing marketing of, and markets for, genetics and women's health, constantly twist the meaning of these words as well as co-opt the concept of "choice."

Argues that everyone should receive adequate education that will enable them to understand scientific principles.