Buying Your Self on the Internet: Wrap Contracts and Personal Genomics - Paperback

by Andelka M. Phillips (Author)

This book examines the rise of the direct-to-consumer genetic testing industry (DTC) and its use of 'wrap' contracts. It uses the example of DTC to show the challenges that disruptive technologies pose for societies and for regulation. It also uses the wrap contracts of DTC companies to explore broader issues with online contracting.

Front Jacket

Considering ordering a genetic test online? Did you stop to read the fine print? Most of us never consider the contracts we enter into online. We click 'Agree' and move on - not necessarily realising the implications of that click, and others. This book provides an introduction to the world of personal genomics (also known as direct-to-consumer genetic testing or DTC). It examines the rise of the DTC genetic testing industry and its use of electronic 'wrap' (typically clickwrap and browsewrap) contracts. It explores the different types of tests available, with the issues that this industry raises for law and society. It concludes with a call for improved regulation of the industry. Key Features - Uses the example of the DTC industry's reliance on wrap contracts as its dominant means of governance to highlight the challenges that disruptive technologies pose for societies and regulation - Provides an overview of the different types of tests available and explores the issues raised by each type of test - including discussion of consumer protection and privacy issues in this context - Provides a summary and review of 71 wrap contracts used by DTC companies that provide tests for health purposes - Suggests that a number of terms commonly included are challengeable on the basis of unfairness - Explores broader issues with online contracting and consumer behaviour - Sets an agenda for improving regulation and the online contracting environment Andelka M. Phillips is Senior Lecturer at Te Piringa, Faculty of Law, the University of Waikato, New Zealand, and a Research Associate at the University of Oxford's Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies (HeLEX). Cover image: (c) iStockphoto.com Cover design: Bekah Mackenzie and Stuart Dalziel [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-2259-8 Barcode

Author Biography

Andelka M. Phillips is a Senior Lecturer in Law, Science and Technology at TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland, Australia. She is a writer and academic whose research interests lie in the areas of Information Technology Law and Health and Medical Law. She was formerly the Ussher Assistant Professor in Information Technology Law at Trinity College Dublin and the Convenor of Trinity College Dublin Law School's Technology, Law and Society Research Group.