Abstract

To comprehend bioethics of genetic medicine two viewpoints are crucial; the first is based on global insight, such as the UNESCO Declaration. In the second, bioethics depends to a great degree on the culture and the values of the people living in each country. Japanese is known to have a rather unique culture and civilization according to the words of Watsuji, Nakamura and Huntington. The unique features reflected in Japan are heteronomy rather than autonomy, seeking for harmony rather than conflict, and a scrupulous or conscientious need to maintain a good relationship. The features can be traced to the influence of Japanese history and the geographical limit of an island country. Another factor to be considered is the paucity of the experience of major genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and haemoglobinopathy in Japan. Such a characteristic and situation may have an influence on decision making related to the medical genetics, which, to a degree, are different from those of other countries