Ethics in Personalised Medicine: Privacy, Data, and the Future

Martin Sandhu

February 2024

The rise of personalised medicine brings with it significant ethical challenges. While this approach offers immense benefits, it also raises concerns about privacy, equity, and the responsible use of data.

Privacy and Data Security

Personalised medicine relies heavily on data collection and analysis, making privacy a primary concern. Key issues include:

Data Storage: Ensuring sensitive information is securely stored to prevent breaches.

Consent: Patients must understand how their data will be used and shared.

Healthcare providers and tech companies must work together to build systems that prioritise security and transparency.

Equity in Access

Personalised medicine risks exacerbating existing healthcare inequalities. Challenges include:

Cost: Advanced tests and treatments are often expensive, limiting accessibility.

Infrastructure: Resource-poor regions may lack the technology to implement personalised care.

Ensuring equitable access will require policy interventions and innovative pricing models.

Ethical Use of AI in Personalised Medicine

AI plays a significant role in personalised healthcare, but its use raises ethical questions:

Bias: Algorithms trained on biased data can lead to inequitable outcomes.

Accountability: Determining responsibility for AI-driven decisions remains complex.

Regulatory frameworks must address these concerns to build trust in AI-driven care.

The Path Forward

Ethics must remain central as personalised medicine evolves. Stakeholders must prioritise transparency, equity, and patient empowerment to ensure this approach benefits everyone.

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