Risk Comparisons in Precision Medicine Research by Thought Leaders

Veronica Kelly^*
*Correspondence: Veronica Kelly, Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Rome, Roma, Italy, Email:

Description

Precision medicine is a rapidly growing field of medical research that seeks to tailor treatment options to individual patients based on their genetic makeup, lifestyle, and other factors. This approach holds great promise for improving patient outcomes and reducing the cost of healthcare, but it also carries significant risks. In this essay, we will compare the opinions of different thought leaders regarding the risks associated with precision medicine research. One of the primary risks associated with precision medicine research is the potential for data breaches and misuse of patient information. As precision medicine relies on the collection and analysis of large amounts of personal health data, there is a risk that this information could be hacked, stolen, or used inappropriately. This could lead to patient harm, loss of trust in the healthcare system, and other negative outcomes. Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, is one thought leader who has expressed concern about the risks of data breaches in precision medicine research. In a 2017 article in JAMA, he noted that while precision medicine has the potential to transform healthcare, “it also raises significant concerns about privacy, security, and ethical issues related to the collection, storage, and sharing of genomic and other personal health information [1].

Another risk associated with precision medicine research is the potential for unintended consequences. As with any new medical technology, there is a risk that precision medicine could lead to unexpected side effects or adverse outcomes. For example, a drug that works well for one patient may have unforeseen negative effects in another patient with a different genetic makeup. Dr. Robert Califf, a cardiologist and former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has written about the need for caution in the development of precision medicine. In a 2018 editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine, he argued that “the complexity of interactions among genes, the environment, and the human body means that interventions based on the genetic profile of an individual patient may have unintended effects [2].

A third risk associated with precision medicine research is the potential for increased healthcare disparities. As precision medicine relies on genetic testing and other forms of personalized medicine, there is a risk that these technologies could exacerbate existing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. For example, if a new drug is only effective for patients with a certain genetic profile, patients without that profile may be left behind. Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health, has written about the need for precision medicine research to address healthcare disparities. In a 2016 article in the New England Journal of Medicine, he argued that “the potential of precision medicine to improve health care and reduce health disparities is clear, but realizing this potential will require substantial effort.” Despite these risks, many thought leaders believe that the potential benefits of precision medicine research outweigh the risks. Precision medicine has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and advance our understanding of human biology.

To realize these benefits, however, it is important to carefully manage the risks associated with precision medicine research. Dr. David Agus, a medical oncologist and professor of medicine and engineering at the University of Southern California, has written about the need for precision medicine to be integrated into routine clinical care. In a 2019 article in Nature, he argued that “to truly realize the promise of precision medicine, we need to integrate it into routine clinical care so that patients can benefit from it today.” Dr. Agus also emphasizes the importance of transparency in precision medicine research. Patients should be fully informed about the risks and benefits of participating in precision medicine studies, and researchers should be transparent about how patient data is collected, stored, and used. In conclusion, precision medicine research holds great promise for improving patient outcomes and advancing our understanding of human biology. However, it also carries significant risks, including data breaches [3-5].

Acknowledgement

None

Conflict of Interest

None

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