Key roles of government in genomics and proteomics: a public health perspective

This paper is based on the presentation of Dr. Allan Noonan at the third biennial Asan-Harvard Medical International Symposium on "Genomics and Proteomics: Impact on Medicine and Health" that took place in Seoul, Korea, July 3-4, 2001. Dr. Noonan is a senior advisor to the Surgeon General of the United States and was representing the then Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher. In this final presentation of the symposium, Dr. Noonan reviews the key roles of government in US health care and discusses several areas where genomic- and proteomic-based information will necessitate changes in the functions of public health. In particular, Dr. Noonan discusses the need for appropriate training to meet the challenges of the genomic future; for sensitivity in the development of policies to address the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic information; and for dissemination of genomic information to both the professionals and the public. Dr. Noonan concludes with a vision of the genomic future of the next 30 years and a reiteration of the need for partnership among health professionals, educators, and social services professionals.