Chapman Audrey R, Carter Adrian, Kaplan Jonathan M, Morphett Kylie, Hall Wayne
Kennedy Inst Ethics J. 2018;28(1):1-22. doi: 10.1353/ken.2018.0000.
Research on the genomic correlates to addiction raises ethical issues in a number of different domains. In this paper, we evaluate the status of genetic research on alcohol dependence as background to addressing the ethical issues raised in conducting research on addiction and the application of that research to the formulation of public policies. We conclude that genetic testing is not yet ready for use in the prediction of alcohol dependence liability. Pharmacogenetic testing for responses to treatments may have more clinical utility, although additional research is required to demonstrate utility and cost-effectiveness. Genetic research on addiction raises potential risks for participants that must be clearly communicated to participants, including limitations on the ability of researchers to protect their privacy. Responsible communication of research findings is essential to prevent common misunderstandings about the role of genetics in addiction liability, to prevent its premature or inappropriate use, and to reduce discrimination and stigmatization experienced by addicted individuals. More research is needed to determine the impact of genetic explanations on addicted individuals, treatment-seeking behavior, and on public attitudes towards addicted persons. Importantly, genetic research on addiction must not be at the expense of investments in social, behavioral, and psychological research on addiction.
对成瘾的基因组关联研究在多个不同领域引发了伦理问题。在本文中，我们评估酒精依赖的基因研究现状，以此作为探讨成瘾研究中所引发的伦理问题以及该研究在公共政策制定中的应用的背景。我们得出结论，基因检测尚未准备好用于预测酒精依赖易感性。针对治疗反应的药物遗传学检测可能具有更大的临床实用性，不过还需要更多研究来证明其效用和成本效益。成瘾的基因研究给参与者带来了潜在风险，必须向参与者明确传达这些风险，包括研究人员保护其隐私能力的局限性。负责任地传达研究结果对于防止对基因在成瘾易感性中作用的常见误解、防止其过早或不恰当使用以及减少成瘾个体所遭受的歧视和污名化至关重要。需要更多研究来确定基因解释对成瘾个体、寻求治疗行为以及公众对成瘾者态度的影响。重要的是，成瘾的基因研究绝不能以牺牲对成瘾的社会、行为和心理学研究的投入为代价。
