Journal article
Ethically utilising COVID-19 host-genomic data
C Gyngell, J Christodoulou, J Savulescu
Npj Genomic Medicine | NATURE PORTFOLIO | Published : 2021
Abstract
Genetic variants that influence susceptibility to COVID-19 have recently been identified. In this manuscript, we identify and discuss some of the ethical and practical issues raised by these studies. We first outline the ethical case for providing COVID-19 susceptibility testing to healthcare workers, as well as highlighting risks associated with privacy and discrimination. We then argue that the existence of genetically susceptible individuals has implications for the ethical conduct of COVID-19 human challenge trials. Finally, we discuss the ethical issues that could arise from other COVID-19 host–genome interactions, including the prospect of personalized vaccines.
Grants
Awarded by Department of Health, State Government of Victoria
Funding Acknowledgements
C.G., J.S., and J.C., through their involvement with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, received funding from the Victorian State Government through the Operational Infrastructure Support (OIS) Program. The Chair in Genomic Medicine awarded to JC is generously supported by The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation. This research was funded in part, by the Wellcome Trust [Grant number WT203132/Z/16/Z]. For the purpose of open access, the author has applied a CC BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission.