Genomics Has a Diversity Problem

The video discusses precision medicine's potential to revolutionize healthcare by tailoring treatments to individual genetic profiles. However, a lack of diversity in genomic databases, primarily focused on European ancestry, poses significant challenges. Historical exploitation and ethical breaches, like the Tuskegee study, have led to mistrust among minority communities. This lack of diversity affects diagnosis, treatment, and drug safety, as seen in misdiagnoses and inappropriate drug dosages for non-European populations. Proposed solutions include diverse data collection, reclassification of genomic variants, and culturally respectful recruitment strategies to ensure precision medicine benefits all populations.

In what ways can genetics influence drug safety and dosage?

What steps have been proposed to improve diversity in genetic research?

Why is it important to include diverse populations in genetic studies?