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My DNA vs our DNA

Genomics can offer significant benefits for individuals. It can improve the accuracy of diagnoses, guide more targeted treatments and support what is known as personalised medicine. Due to the close link between genomic information and an individual’s specific characteristics, strong privacy protection is essential.

At the same time, about 99% of the human genome is shared across all people. Genomics, therefore, also highlights what we have in common and can generate benefits at the population level. For example, genomic research has supported the development of vaccines for widespread illnesses such as influenza.

In either case, both personalised and public health applications rely on accurate interpretation of genomic data. This requires rigorous scientific research and access to large collections of data. Progress in personalised medicine is only possible when many people are willing to share their data for research and innovation.

This combination of personal and shared aspects of the genome calls for a balancing act between individual and shared benefits, as well as between personal and general risks. How should privacy be protected while still enabling research that relies on detailed data? How should resources be allocated between developing treatments for rare but serious conditions and those that are common but less severe? And how can fair and equitable access to genomic medicine be ensured for everyone, regardless of their circumstances?