Pharmacogenetics
The use of pharmacogenetic information collected in research
3.27 We now turn to consider ethical issues raised by the use of pharmacogenetic information in research. We focus, in particular, on the implications for consent, privacy and access to information by patients and other individuals such as health professionals. Debates about ethical issues arising from genetic testing have been taking place for some time. As a result, there is already considerable consensus, and many guidelines and recommendations for best practice (paragraphs 1.6 – 1.7). Nonetheless, it is useful to consider these issues in the context of pharmacogenetic testing and to assess whether additional guidance may be required, not least because the development of pharmacogenetics may lead to a substantial increase in the amount of genetic testing that takes place, and because what is considered a proper regime of testing will vary with the kinds of information the tests provide and the uses to which they are put.