The Value of Genetic and Genomic Technologies - Institute of Medicine

The Value of Genetic and Genomic Technologies
Released: August 23, 2010
Type: Workshop Summary
Topics: Biomedical and Health Research, Public Health
Activity: Roundtable on Translating Genomic-Based Research for Health
Board: Board on Health Sciences Policy

Note: Workshop Summaries contain the opinion of the presenters, but do NOT reflect the conclusions of the IOM. Learn more about the differences between Workshop Summaries and Consensus Reports.

Each and every human being shares the same genes—and yet, slight alterations in those genes can contribute to great differences among us, ranging from eye color variance and baldness to increasing the risk of developing breast cancer and diabetes. Knowing one’s genetic disposition to a variety of diseases, including common chronic diseases, can benefit both the individual and society at large. In fact, genetic testing in the laboratory is relatively common today; it can help physicians diagnose genetic disorders even before symptoms appear, confirm a disease after symptoms develop, screen for markers of increased risk of disease, or determine whether someone is a carrier for a recessive disease. The knowledge that can be gained from genetic testing or profiling allows for care that is personalized to an individual, ranging from medication that is tailored to a person’s unique genetic makeup, to the ability to identify an individual’s risk of developing certain diseases over a lifetime. Still, the question remains: how should any or all of these advances be used in the health care setting?

The IOM’s Roundtable on Translating Genomic-Based Research for Health held a workshop on March 22, 2010, to bring together diverse perspectives on the value of genetic testing, and to discuss its use in clinical practice. Three case examples were used to facilitate discussion: correlation between Lynch Syndrome and colon cancer; pharmacogenomic testing for warfarin dosing; and genomic profiling. This document summarizes the workshop.

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The Value of Genetic and Genomic Technologies - Institute of Medicine