ABSTRACT
Human genome research owes a debt of gratitude to the historian of science Thomas Kuhn, who introduced the idea that conceptual change in science can happen through “paradigm shifts” that go beyond incremental problem-solving. While Kuhn was agnostic about whether such revolutions necessarily constitute “progress,” the popular understanding has become that paradigm shifts are the most effective form of scientific progress. Translational genomic research programs such as the Institute for Systems Biology and the Coriell Institute for Medical Research often espouse patient empowerment as one of the goals of their research. Personalized genomic medicine’s empowering potential has also been embraced in federal policy. The physician could start to be seen as a colleague and advisor, as one of many input sources in fashioning a care plan. The patient could become more of an informed participant, an active responsibility-taker, the owner, administrator, and coordinator of his or her health program and health data.
