Current therapies for most human genetic diseases are inadequate. In response to the need for effective treatments, modern molecular genetics is providing tools for an unprecedented new approach to the treatment of diseases; e.g. the direct manipulation of mutant genes or the input on new therapeutic genes. The treatment of human disease by gene transfer has now moved from the theoretical to the practical realm. With the initiation of clinical trials involving somatic gene therapy in different countries, a critical assessment of the different aspects involved with this new technique is necessary. This volume provides an overview on all these interdisciplinary aspects by some well known experts all over the world.

About the Editors: Dr. phil. Dr. rer. publ. Brigitte E.S. Jansen, Visiting Professor University of Madras (India), studied Educational Science, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology at the Universities of Bielefeld and Lneburg, Germany. She is doctor of philosophy and doctor rerum publicarum (public administration). She is EU-expert in the evaluation of project proposals since 1999. Chairperson in several Congresses in Asia. Several publications in bioethics/biolaw. Dr.jur. habil. Jrgen W. Simon studied in Tbingen, Freiburg and Mnchen; First and Second State Examen in Law at the University of Mnchen; Master of Business Administration at the University of Mnchen 1973. Doctor in Law 1978, habilitated in Hannover 1988 in Civil Law, Economic Law and Law of Informatics. Head of the Institute of Law at the University Lneburg since 1989; member of the Advisory Committee of the Biological Federal Association, Braunschweig. He received 1998 the B.A.U.M. Environmental Award. Organizer, chairman or director of numerous national and international Congresses etc. in Germany, Europe, Asia and America. He has published a lot of books and articles in Law and Ethics of Biotechnology.