Global genomics disparities in the wake of personalised medical services

摘要

Global genomic disparities appear inevitable in the age of genomic scientific breakthrough. The highly industrialised nations of the world currently are at major advantage of implementing programmes to establish personalised medical services to affluent class in the technological advanced nations. This project explored the characteristic diseases of poverty which exist in epidemic proportion in the underdeveloped areas of the world. The major factors which facilitate genomic disparities were outlined as the tripartite linkage of diseases, poverty and the very high illiteracy level. The need to harness the benefits of biomedical informatics, as a 'technology of hope' in food production, health maintenance and wealth creation was emphasised. The various landmarks achieved in genomics science were outlined. Although these scientific developments have created the foundation for personalised medical services, researchers, national medical administrators have cautioned clinicians and physicians to pay serious attention to the issues of epidemiological evaluation of their gene testing services so as to maximise health benefits and minimise harm to unsuspecting healthcare consumers. A logic model illustrating strategies to eliminate global genomic disparities in personalised medical services was presented.