The book aims to assist all those with any interest in the ethical issues arising from genomics research to understand the central issues and to join in the debates.

"New developments in science and technology have resulted in shifting ethical challenges in many areas including in genomics research. This book enables those who are involved in genomics research, whether as researcher, participant or policy maker, to understand the ethical issues currently developing in this field and to participate actively in these important debates. A clear account is given of how science and technology are outstripping the capacity of previous ethical regulations to cope with current issues, together with practical illustrations of possible ways forward. Key ethical ideas are presented, drawing on the history of research regulation and on an account of the particular challenges arising in the field of genomics. The book uses a grounded, practical approach to explaining ethical concepts and issues which is geared to enhancing interdisciplinary dialogue. Its broad approach to ethical issues includes relevant considerations from social psychology and there is a particular emphasis on understanding the problems of ethical regulations and practice in the institutional and social context of research. A glossary and numerous text boxes explaining relevant terms and key ideas help to make the work an invaluable resource for both beginners and experts in the field."

More details about the book can be found at: http://www.springer.com/978-3-642-23698-3

Update (31 July 2012): Paula's book was reviewed in Genome Technology by Christie Rizk. Here is an extract.

"Boddington's roots in philosophy shine through as she discusses what ethics is and what it is not, and makes a case for why ethics is needed in human genomic -research. She includes case studies and concrete examples of both ethical and unethical behavior that serve to enlighten the reader.... [T]he book's strong point is that it asks questions, forcing the readers to think about the answers for themselves.
Of particular interest is the section on data sharing — this chapter, more than any other, places genomic research in a societal context and illustrates the importance of striking the right balance between a study participant's rights and a researcher's needs.

Boddington herself acknowledges that her book is not the end of the discussion. 'As I reach the end of the book, it is even more apparent to me how many difficult, diverse, and finely nuanced questions have only been touched upon, and how many more have not even been raised,' she says. This text may provide the most benefit to those who are at the beginning of their scientific careers, like graduate students or postdocs. It would give them a solid foundation in how to think critically about ethical issues in their own research."