Ethical aspects of pharmacogenetics: a need for creativity

Abstract

The article attempts to reveal the need and issues of creative application of pharmacogenetics in physician’s work. Creativity is interpreted based on the concept proposed by Guilford (1971). The proposed major thesis is the following: pharmacogenetics contributes to the implementation of creativity in pharmacotherapy, but its use is limited in today’s medical practice. The minor thesis arises from the major thesis: application of pharmacogenetic in everyday pharmacotherapy contributes to the realisation of biomedical ethics principles in personalised medical and individualised personal care, but multifaceted problems arise in the social reality. Scientific sources and texts reveal that ancient ideas (by Plato, Socrates, Aristotle and Hippocrates) are preserved and integrated into the philosophy of modern pharmacotherapy and principles of biomedicine ethics. The devel­opment of personalised medicine and individualised care requires creativity both in the science and in the art of medicine, but encounters a collision of biomedical ethics principles and challenges of interpretation. In accordance with the tradition of Hippocrates, it is important not only to adhere to the principles of biomedical ethics, but also to overcome the challenges of consumer society and market economy in today’s social reality.