Pharmaco's...Genomics, and race

#1

Pharmaceuticals, Genomics and Race
By minerboy
Tue Oct 25th, 2005 at 08:29:57 AM EST
Science

The science of genomics is the study of genes and their function. Recent advances in genomics are bringing about a revolution in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of disease, and are providing new ways for scientists to develop pharmaceuticals by targeting the specific genes, or the corresponding proteins responsible for the disease. The details of the process are summarized at Decision Resources. They write "Genomics-based drug discovery now offers the improved ability to identify greater numbers of drug targets. Genomics is based on the concept that a gene's function is to generate a certain effect or group of effects in the body. Genes achieve this functionality through the proteins they produce. Although the genes themselves might become therapeutic targets, the pivotal rationale behind this approach is that, by linking public genomic data with proprietary genomic sequence information, pharmaceutical companies can then launch a focused search for proteins expressed from these genes, providing additional therapeutic targets."

The new genomic approach to drug design may have a significant impact on the quality and scope of pharmaceuticals available, it also raises some important questions with regard to social justice, that is, how can you insure that certain groups of people are not disadvantaged with regard to drug development? It is conceivable that the pharmaceutical industry, driven either by profit or prejudice, will avoid developing drugs that will be vital to a minority population.(continues...)

From: http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2005/10/23/203049/48

#2

I touched on this in abstract in another thread I posted in this section...

It is VERY obvious that some races are more likely to develop certain conditions more so than others, and that the medicines for these various ailments are too damn expensive...

** glanced at article **

Exactly what I was thinking.......

There are also some VERY interesting vies about race in that article, and a whole nother post all together.....