ABSTRACT
In recent years there has been much discussion about the implications of new genetic developments for health and healthcare, the individual and society. According to its proponents, the so-called new genetics will benefit all of society, by reducing or eliminating disease, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing individual choice. Research in genetics is seen to lay the groundwork for 'personalized' medicine by allowing a better match between the drug and the individual genetic profile while 'empowering' the individual by offering greater certainty about their health status and more options in healthcare decisions. In public health, a greater understanding of the contributions of genetics, lifestyle and environment to disease, derived through genetic epidemiology, is seen to provide the basis for new strategies of population-based preventive interventions. It is argued that the genetically 'susceptible' may be isolated from certain environments that predispose them to disease, or advised about changes in lifestyle that may contribute to future illness. The new genetics is surrounded by considerable hype, with reports of new genetic discoveries appearing almost daily in the news media, often accompanied by strong claims about their potential benefits for 'the public'
