What Precision Medicine Can Learn from Rare Genetic Disease Research and Translation

AMA J Ethics. 2018 Sep 1;20(9):E834-840. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2018.834.

Abstract

The goal of this article is to examine the intersections of precision health and rare diseases. Specifically, we propose 3 lessons from the last decade of applying genomics to rare diseases: (1) precision can end one odyssey and start another; (2) precise interventions can exacerbate health disparities and create other ethical dilemmas; and (3) democratization of data will transform research and translation. By studying experiences of patients with rare diseases, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers can anticipate similar challenges in precision medicine and hopefully mitigate potential harms or injustices.

MeSH terms

  • Big Data
  • Data Collection / ethics
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / genetics*
  • Genetic Research / ethics*
  • Genomics / ethics*
  • Genomics / methods
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Humans
  • Precision Medicine / ethics*
  • Rare Diseases / genetics*
  • Social Justice*
  • Translational Research, Biomedical / ethics*