The sequencing of the human genome and the subsequent reduction in price for individuals to sequence their own DNA have opened up a new opportunity for medicine. DNA sequencing has the potential for clinical use in the near future. This means that drugs can be developed with applicability only to a subset of the population with specific genetics. Indeed, genomic therapy with CRISPR (not covered in this edition of this book) further opens up treatment possibilities. This emerging field is called personalized medicine or precision medicine. Hays, writing in 2017, provides a summary of the scientific, health-related, social, and economic issues involved.
To begin, it should be noted that a second edition of the book is now in print, but for a hefty price. Hays is qualified as a scientific writer who is interested in healthcare matters. She is not a lab-trained scientist but is interested in learning from them. She quotes many scientists in this book, often in extended passages that receive a special font, color, and indentation. As someone with formal scientific training, I found her understanding of the science somewhat limiting, but her grasp of the social and economic effects in health policy and technological development compensated for this limitation.
She particularly examines the development genomics and its consequent impact on human affairs. She examines everything from drug development, technology, and diagnosis to bioethics, treatment of specific diseases, and individual patient impact. Potential diseases impacted include cancer (the primary opportunity), diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and AIDS. Will we be able to develop target treatments (or even preventative measures) for these diseases so that they will hurt humanity less? Only time will tell, but Hays can illuminate potential paths forward.
Overall, this provides a comprehensive summary of the action going on in this field. I struggled with the sections on economics, but I believe this speaks about my personal lack of knowledge about economics more than Hays’ writing. It’s relatively accessible: An advanced degree in the sciences is not prerequisite, but an interest in science is. Conceptually, it straddles the fence between basic research and health policy.
Several audiences might be interested in reading this book. Healthcare professionals can benefit from keeping up with biomedical research. Those interested in biotechnology can get ideas on how technologies are evolving outside of their domain. Investors can likewise understand how the marketplace is evolving (and the second edition, published in 2021, might tell a more recent story here). Those interested in health and technology policy will perhaps benefit most from Hays’ expertise in this area. Finally, bioethicists can benefit from further understanding the social situation surrounding genomics. Overall, this book points to an emerging field with a lot of activity. I’m not sure one book can cover all the action, but Hays certainly presents a nice tutorial that deserves to be a part of the conversation.
Advancing Healthcare Through Personalized Medicine
By Priya Hays
First Edition
Copyright (c) 2017
CRC Press
ISBN13 9781498767088
Page Count: 167
Genre: Healthcare/Medicine
www.amazon.com