Pharmacogenetics
Research in pharmacogenetics investigates how differences in our genes can affect our response to medicines.
This report considers the implications for research and development of medicines, clinical practice and treatment, and the use and storage of genetic information.
read more »Pharmacogenetics - Scientific background: potential benefits
Download a PDF of Chapter 2 - Scientific background (PDF 1.4MB)
Improving safety
Some medicines have side-effects (adverse reactions) and may even occasionally cause death. If a genetic variant is found to be associated with an adverse reaction to a certain medicine, doctors could avoid prescribing the medicine to patients with this gene variant.
read more »Pharmacogenetics - Use of information in clinical trials
Download a PDF of Chapter 3 - Research and development of new medicines (1.38MB)
It is important to ensure that patients are protected if information about them is used in clinical trials.
read more »Pharmacogenetics - Recommendations for treatment and clinical practice
Download a PDF of Chapter 5 - Ethical issues in treatment and clinical practice (1.4MB)
The introduction of pharmacogenetics will mean that many more patients are exposed to genetic testing than before. Currently, patients tend only to encounter genetics in the context of serious diseases such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease.
read more »Pharmacogenetics - Chapter downloads
You can download the individual chapters of this report using the links below. (All files are PDFs and less than 1.4MB)
Contents
Chapter 2 - Scientific Background
read more »Pharmacogenetics - Scientific background: genes and medicines
Download a PDF of Chapter 2 - Scientific background (PDF 1.4MB)
How do genes affect our responses to medicines?
Differences in our genes can affect the way in which we respond to medicines in two ways:
1. Variation in the way the body processes a medicine
(Differentiating people)
read more »Pharmacogenetics - Pharmacogenetics consultation responses
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has decided that, where possible, it will post consultation responses on its website. The Working Party has found the replies extremely useful and has considered all the responses.
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