Public health and the challenge of genomics.

@article{citeulike:246455, abstract = {This paper is a contribution to debate on the challenge to public health of advances in genomic science and its applications. While genomics offers exciting possibilities for mitigating and preventing disease and disability, it is outpacing society's comprehension as well as public health policy and practice. There is controversy in Australia and internationally over the eugenic implications of genomics, with desirable outcomes for public health set against 'slippery slope' arguments. Controversy cannot be avoided; we risk divisiveness if it is not carefully managed with informed, social-consensus-building debate. Furthermore, the intrinsic tension between genomics (with its individual and family choices) and public health (operating for the public good) may even necessitate a reconceptualisation of public health.}, address = {Key Centre for Women's Health in Society, University of Melbourne, Victoria. m.kirkman@unimelb.edu.au}, author = {Kirkman, M. }, citeulike-article-id = {246455}, issn = {1326-0200}, journal = {Aust N Z J Public Health}, keywords = {eugenics, public-health}, month = {April}, number = {2}, pages = {163--165}, posted-at = {2005-07-05 20:42:59}, priority = {2}, title = {Public health and the challenge of genomics.}, url = {http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15915621}, volume = {29}, year = {2005} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:246455 L3 - citeulike-article-id:246455 TI - Public health and the challenge of genomics. JF - Aust N Z J Public Health VL - 29 IS - 2 SP - 163 EP - 165 AD - Key Centre for Women's Health in Society, University of Melbourne, Victoria. m.kirkman@unimelb.edu.au SN - 1326-0200 N2 - This paper is a contribution to debate on the challenge to public health of advances in genomic science and its applications. While genomics offers exciting possibilities for mitigating and preventing disease and disability, it is outpacing society's comprehension as well as public health policy and practice. There is controversy in Australia and internationally over the eugenic implications of genomics, with desirable outcomes for public health set against 'slippery slope' arguments. Controversy cannot be avoided; we risk divisiveness if it is not carefully managed with informed, social-consensus-building debate. Furthermore, the intrinsic tension between genomics (with its individual and family choices) and public health (operating for the public good) may even necessitate a reconceptualisation of public health. KW - eugenics KW - public-health AU - Kirkman, M PY - 2005/04// UR - http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15915621 ER -