In the news

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a 250-page report on the potential impact of advances in genomics on health in both the developed and developing world. For example, genomic projects on important human and animal pathogens such as those that cause malaria and tuberculosis may lead to new ways of preventing and treating infection, while research on pharmacogenetics may enable the development of drugs that are tailored to particular populations. However, the report cautions against an over-optimistic assessment of the scale of the benefits from genomics and the time taken to realise them, in particular in relation to treatment and prevention of the common diseases of the developed world. While stressing the need for a balanced approach to health improvement that continues to recognise the importance of more traditional strategies such as the reduction of poverty, the report recommends that developing countries be assisted in developing their capacity in genomics, for example in areas such as bioinformatics, and that WHO should act as an advocate against the restrictive use of patents on gene sequences. It also points out that there is much that can be done now to build and improve clinical genetic and counselling services for single-gene diseases, and programmes for genomics education of both the general public and health professionals. The importance of the ethical and social questions raised by genetics and genomics is stressed in the report, particularly in the area of genetic databases, and it is suggested that WHO could work with member states to assist them in developing regulatory structures appropriate to their needs.   2/5/02
Note added 3/5/02: The issues covered by the WHO report are summarised in an editorial by Pang and Weatherall in the BMJ