"My Genome and We - The Dawn of Participatory Medicine"
Event details
| Date | 21.12.2011 |
| Hour | 16:00 |
| Speaker | Prof. Ernst Hafen - Institute of Molecular Systems Biology - ETHZ |
| Location |
SV1717A
|
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Ten years ago sequencing of the human genome costed 3 billion dollars. Owing to rapid technological progress - almost exclusively in the United States - DNA sequencing costs are dropping precipitously. The current price of a full genome sequence is already approaching the $ 1'000 mark. In less than two years the complete genome sequence of individuals will be available for Fr. 100.00 thus laying the basis for P4 (Predictive, Preventive, Personalized, Participatory) medicine. Already today whole genome sequence data are changing how diseases, particularly cancer, are treated. In some cases rare mutations have been identified that led to successful treatment of terminally ill patients. Companies like 23andme.com offer genome analysis directly to consumers and provide information on the statistical susceptibility to more than a hundred diseases and traits. On the other hand, the ability for people do donate their genome information, medical and phenotypic information in anonymized form to medical research is transforming how research is done and offers the chance to make research a participatory effort. The ubiquitous availability of personal genome sequences, however, also poses challenges to society. What do these sequences mean to the individual, how are the sequences kept beyond the research of employers and insurance companies and finally what does an individual do probabilities to get a disease. How can the right "not to know" be inforced. Given the rapid technological progress, the potential of engaging the public into health research for the benefit of society and the legal and ethical challenges associated with this technology it is important to start the public discourse on this topic now. In this talk I will briefly review the current state of genome wide analysis, the technological progress and my own experience with the analysis of my genome and that of my family. I will discuss how Switzerland could take a leading position in moving P4 health forward.
Links
Practical information
- General public
- Free
Contact
- Doris Sapin