Personalized medicine and access to genetic technologies.

Personalized medicine and access to genetic technologies.

Rev Derecho Genoma Hum. 2010 Jul-Dec;(33):49-64

Authors: den Exter A

Personalized medicine started after the Human Genome Project and is a relatively new concept that will dramatically change clinical practice. It offers clear clinical advantages by applying genetic diagnostic tests and then treating the patient with targeted medicines based on his or her genetic make-up. Its potential seems promising but there are quite a few legal concerns. One of these questions deals with the right to health care and access to genetic technologies. In this paper, the author explains the meaning of such a right to health care under international human rights law, its relevance for making genetic services eligible for public funding, how to cope with quality concerns of commercial testing, and finally, the patentability controversy and clinical access to genetic information. Apart from more traditional human rights concerns (consent, privacy, confidentiality) and genetics, States should be aware of the meaning of the equal access concept under international law and its consequences when introducing new technologies such genetic testing and services.

PMID: 21510135 [PubMed - in process]

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Personal Genome

Personalized medicine and access to genetic technologies.

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Related posts

Personalized medicine from Sciencedaily