Pharmacogenetics: ethical problems and solutions

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.