Drug Discovery and Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Genomics/Proteomics
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • R&D 100 Awards
  • Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50

Genetic Technologies Could Set Back Efforts Toward Racial Justice

By Drug Discovery Trends Editor | February 4, 2009

New and emerging genetic technologies may be hindering efforts towards racial justice, according to a new report issued by the Center for Genetics and Society, a public interest group. Playing the Gene Card? A Report on Race and Human Biotechnology  was released on February 2 to coincide with the beginning of Black History Month.

We’re now well into what some have called the ‘Biotech Century,’ and increasing numbers of DNA-based products are being promoted and sold. While many have important benefits, Playing the Gene Card? focuses on three applications that may have particular risks for African American and other minority communities:

  • Race-specific drugs may be more about marketing than medicine. The FDA has already approved one race-specific drug despite expert criticism, and more are in the pipeline.
  • Genetic ancestry tests are heavily promoted to African Americans, promising to reveal family histories lost in the slave trade. The pitch is compelling, but the science is limited and the marketing is misleading.
  • Police and courts are increasingly relying on DNA forensics and DNA databases. Federal and state policies taking effect this year mean that more genetic profiles of innocent people – disproportionately from minority communities – will be collected and retained in vast DNA databases.

African American and other communities of color are on the front lines of these new biotechnology products and applications, taking risks but not necessarily getting benefits. Yet these effects have been largely overlooked. While recognizing the rewards of biotechnology, Playing the Gene Card? looks carefully at their downsides, and recommends ways to minimize them.

Release Date: January 28, 2009
Source: The Center for Genetics and Society


Filed Under: Drug Discovery

 

Related Articles Read More >

Pharmacovigilance
A new era of pharmacovigilance: Worldwide master key for drug safety monitoring
Takeda Pharmaceutical in the Drug Discovery & Development Pharma 50
Takeda’s Takhzyro fares well in pediatric hereditary angioedema study
Novartis in the Pharma 50
Novartis to cut up to 8,000 positions
Gilead Sciences in the Drug Discovery & Development Pharma 50
Gilead resubmits application to FDA for twice-yearly HIV drug lenacapavir

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.

Need Drug Discovery news in a minute?

We Deliver!
Drug Discovery & Development Enewsletters get you caught up on all the mission critical news you need. Sign up today.
Enews Signup
Drug Discovery and Development
  • MASSDEVICE
  • DEVICETALKS
  • Medical Design & Outsourcing
  • MEDICAL TUBING + EXTRUSION
  • MEDTECH 100
  • Medical Design Sourcing
  • Subscribe to our Free E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • R&D World
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Pharmaceutical Processing World

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Drug Discovery & Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Genomics/Proteomics
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • R&D 100 Awards
  • Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50