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Personalizing medicine: futures present and past
1ESRC Cesagen: Centre for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics, Department of Sociology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. r.tutton@lancaster.ac.uk
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|August 22, 2012
Summary
Personalized medicine, aiming to tailor treatments to individuals, has been envisioned since the 1990s. However, its realization is shaped by historical expectations of individual specificity in medicine, not just genomics.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Genomics and Personalized Medicine
- History of Medicine
Background:
- The concept of 'personalized medicine' emerged in the 1990s, proposing a shift from a universal approach to one tailoring medical prediction, diagnosis, and treatment to individual patients.
- Despite two decades of development, personalized medicine remains a debated future vision within the medical community.
Observation:
- Expectations surrounding genomics' role in personalized medicine are influenced by historical precedents dating back to the 19th century.
- Previous medical advancements centered on individual specificity and variability have shaped claims and counterclaims about future medical practices.
Findings:
- The sociology of expectations framework reveals that current hopes for genomics in personalized medicine are prefigured by earlier medical discourses on individual differences.
- The historical contestation between medical universalism ('one size fits all') and individualized approaches provides context for understanding the ongoing debate.
Implications:
- Genomic advancements may not fully deliver on the promise of personalized medicine due to historical and sociological factors.
- Understanding the historical evolution of individualized medicine is crucial for evaluating the future potential and limitations of genomics.
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