WHO Examines Issues Regarding Access to Genomics Technologies
The World Health Organization is exploring the future of genomics technologies, tools and therapies for analyzing or manipulating genomic information to better diagnose, prevent and treat diseases.
The organization’s July 12 report examines the ethical, legal and social issues tied to this expensive technology.
Ethical risks include violating an individual’s privacy, discrimination in employment and insurance, inappropriate financial gain and cultural insensitivity.
According to the report, genomics technologies typically require high costs of securing equipment and trained personnel. This makes the implementation and promotion in low- and middle-income countries more difficult to achieve.
The WHO makes 15 recommendations in the report to accelerate genomics technologies and sustain their beneficial use for improving the health and livelihood of people all over the world, regardless of economic status.
The organization aims to identify and overcome practical issues that impede the implementation of genomics through local planning, financing, training of essential personnel and the provisions of instruments, materials and computational infrastructure.
This would be done through methods such as aiding the development of advocacy programs that support the adoption or expansion of genomics, and creating a genomics committee to assess and report annually on the progress of implementing the recommendations in the report.
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