ABSTRACT

This chapter describes lessons learned, primarily from medical oncology, in terms of challenges and limitations of interventions at the molecular, as opposed to the environmental, level when addressing the complex disease of cancer. It describes the different ways oncologists handle these ethical dilemmas and potential challenges to their resolutions. Oncology is the field of medicine that has seen the most extensive application of personalized medicine. Genomic medicine, as a representation of progress and advancement in scientific knowledge, also has its limitations. A recurring theme discussed by multiple doctors is the myth that personalized medicine “cures,” while, in fact, most of the time it offers only temporary relief. Personalized medicine is a nascent field and is at different levels of maturity for different diseases. In Singapore, the Standard Drug List (SDL) is based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Essential Drug List, but is ultimately determined by the Drug Advisory Committee (DAC) and Ministry of Health (MOH).