Introduction

Abstract

The Human Genome Project’s completion opened up possibilities for precision medicine as the “paradigm shift” in healthcare, leading to discussions of pros and cons of this technology. President Obama’s launch of the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) in 2015 has helped PM to get the momentum it needs to be implemented in clinical settings. Champions of PM have made many promises of benefits – which will have global impact. However, the interpretation and ranking of PM’s promises which include individualized diagnosis and risk prediction, more effective prevention and health promotion, and patient empowerment – carries ethical and social implications for the realization of PM as an approach to healthcare. The purpose of this chapter is to give a brief overview of the background of PM, and talk about its benefits in various settings from public health and global perspectives, taking into considerations the different barriers and challenges that need to be overcome in order for PM to be successful.