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Ethical considerations in the implementation of nutrigenetics/nutrigenomics

    Thierry Hurlimann

    Public Health Research Institute – University of Montreal (IRSPUM), PO Box 6128, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada

    ,
    Julie Robitaille

    Institute of Nutrition & Functional Foods (INAF) & School of Nutrition, Université Laval, 2440 Hochelaga Blvd, Room 2729-N, Quebec City, QC, Canada

    ,
    Marie-Claude Vohl

    Institute of Nutrition & Functional Foods (INAF) & School of Nutrition, Université Laval, 2440 Hochelaga Blvd, Room 2729-N, Quebec City, QC, Canada

    &
    Béatrice Godard

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: beatrice.godard@umontreal.ca

    Public Health Research Institute – University of Montreal (IRSPUM), PO Box 6128, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/pme-2016-0035

    Awareness of ethical issues that may be raised by the implementation of nutrigenetic/nutrigenomic (NGx) testing and personalized nutrition, at an individual or a public health level, is crucial to ensure the latter's sound and effective implementation. NGx tests that are currently offered or developed have different natures and scopes. We provide an example of NGx testing on the MTHFR gene to illustrate the current challenges when it comes to grasp the meaning of the results of such testing. In addition, NGx testing is developed within an evolving landscape of new genomic technologies and occurs at a time when public health policies mainly focus on preventive and predictive healthcare, with an emphasis on increased individual responsibility. The ethical issues raised by such a context and the genetic nature of NGx testing both should be carefully evaluated.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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