A new article on the ethical and human rights issues surrounding cancer genomic medicine was published by PhD student Kate Nakasato, Carlotta Manz (University of Lausanne), and Professor Kato.

Advancements in precision medicine and genomics have led to prospects in a wide range of clinical fields. One of these advancements includes multigene panel testing, which allows physicians to potentially tailor treatment to the specific genomic markers of a patient’s cancer. However, ethical and human rights issues regarding equitable access to these tests remain a critical concern.

In order to better understand the current challenges in this area, we examined the barriers to accessing multigene panel testing in Japan and Switzerland. Findings showed that test availability, patient information, and insurance reimbursement pose significant obstacles in both regions. These findings suggest the need for policy interventions and systemic improvements to enhance health equity and human rights in genomic medicine initiatives.

Title: Access, autonomy, and affordability: ethical and human rights issues surrounding multigene panel testing for cancer in Japan and Switzerland
Authors: Kate Nakasato, Carlotta Manz, Kazuto Kato
Published journal: Frontiers in Genetics
Published date: 26 January 2024
Link: https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2024.1343720