2016 AAAS Annual Meeting (February 11-15, 2016)

February 10 - 15, 2016

Precision Medicine and Bioethics

Precision and Personalized Medicine The U.S. Precision Medicine Initiative, launched by President Obama in 2015, has generated a tidal wave of discussion surrounding the development of novel targeted patient therapies. Advances in human genome sequencing capabilities will assist clinicians in identifying the specific molecular/genetic profile underlying a patient’s health, disease, or condition. Along with the infusion of U.S. resources into the field of precision medicine, an international dialogue has formed around the potential for new therapies to transform routine patient care. The U.K. National Health Service will be the first mainstream health service in the world to integrate cutting-edge genomic medicine into routine care. In parallel with rapidly developing scientific progress in this area, mounting bioethical questions have emerged. From personal genetic profiling to the use of "big" health data, questions related to data protection and privacy have been raised. Moreover, fundamental concerns have also surfaced surrounding questions of access to this cutting-edge clinical care. This symposium brings together leaders at the forefront of this international dialogue to discuss the scientific and ethical dimensions of precision medicine, providing a well-timed forum to address the underlying policy considerations that will influence the future of the field.