Ethical Concerns on Cancer Genomic Medicine in Japan

Abstract

  Cancer genomic medicine is being installed in Japan. It will not only lead to paradigm shift of cancer chemotherapy, but also raise ethical concerns that include 1) accurate response to secondarily found germ line mutations, 2) dilemma between data sharing and privacy protection, 3) access to new drugs not covered by public insurance, and 4) elimination of information gaps between patients and physicians and among physicians.