Can genomics create a fairer future?

As breakthroughs in genomics and precision medicine accelerate, they promise to revolutionize how we prevent and treat disease. But they also raise profound moral and ethical questions. Who defines fairness in this new era of medicine, and who will benefit from its advances?

In this episode of the Doha Debates Podcast, recorded live at the Precision Medicine and the Future of Genomics Summit in Doha, three expert guests discuss whether precision medicine and genomics can create a fairer future. Bioethicist Sarah Chan argues that we must start with an inclusive research process and regulatory redesign to ensure inclusivity and equal benefit. Technology and healthcare futurist Jamie Metzl says that the future of advanced medicine depends on the values we bring to its use, advocating for global data sharing, governance, and regulatory systems to balance opportunities and risks. And gynecologist, oncologist and geneticist Arash Rafii believes that access to personal genomic data should be a fundamental human right, prioritizing individual autonomy and healthcare parity over what he thinks are negligible privacy concerns.

This episode of the Doha Debates Podcast was presented in partnership with Sidra Medicine and hosted by Dareen Abughaida. It was recorded in December 2024.