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Pharmacogenetics: ethical problems and solutions

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From Nature Reviews Genetics

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Abstract

Regulators, drug companies, academic scientists, bioethicists, clinicians and, increasingly, the general public are starting to realize that pharmacogenetics (PGx) will probably have a huge impact on the way in which we treat both common and rare diseases. But how much thought has gone into the ethical issues that the incorportation of phamacogenetic testing into drug discovery, prescription and use will entail? It seems that “quite a bit” is the answer, as the diverse viewpoints of representatives of all of these groups presented here illustrate. However, these views also highlight that now is the time to start formulating and implementing solutions to these potential problems.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Alasdair Breckenridge

F. Hoffmann–La Roche AG

GeneWatch UK — human genetics

Howard McLeod

Mark Rothstein

Nuffield Council on Bioethics

Nuffield Council report on 'Pharmacogenetics: ethical issues'

Peter Lipton

Pharmacogenetics Research Network

Pharmacogenetics research at Washington University Medical School

UK Government White Paper on Genetics

UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

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Breckenridge, A., Lindpaintner, K., Lipton, P. et al. Pharmacogenetics: ethical problems and solutions. Nat Rev Genet 5, 676–680 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg1431

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg1431

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