Individualisierung der Medizin: medizintheoretische und gesellschaftliche Implikationen eines mehrdeutigen Leitbilds

Abstract

Based on genetic or other biomarkers, increasingly good predictions of individual disease dispositions and drug reactions as well as the characteristics of tumours and their response to treatment can be produced. Hopefully, preventive or therapeutic interventions may thus be better adapted to the individual's physical endowments to increase treatment efficiency and reduce unwanted drug reactions. These developments have been summarised under the conceptual umbrella of "individualised" or "personalised medicine". In contrast to early expectations, clinical implementation of individualised medicine proceeds rather slowly. At the same time important philosophical and social issues emerge. This article will start by introducing some areas of applications of individualised medicine. In a second step, the guiding principle of "individualisation" of treatment and its ambiguity will be reflected. The third part discusses some of the philosophical and social implications of these developments. The article ends with a conclusion and some suggestions for further research.