Patient-Tailored Medicine, Part One: The Impact of Race and Genetics on Medicine

One of the more controversial elements of advancing technology is the use of race and genetics to help create more specific types of medicines that will help combat diseases and conditions that appear to be more prevalent within certain races or ethnic groups than in others. Considering the history of discrimination and inadequate treatment of individuals on the bases of race and gender in the United States, there is justifiable concern that race or gender-based treatment could be used to legitimate discrimination. On the other hand, there is substantial proof that the current method of creating medicines for the general public is problematic and could prevent effective treatments from reaching the marketplace. Part One of this series addresses the relevance of genetic information, and how race and genetics have affected and may impact the development of medicines, pharmacogenomics, and personalized medicine in the United States. Part Two, which will appear in the next issue of the Journal of Health and Life Sciences Law, will focus on how personalized medicine may affect the American legal, regulatory, and legislative environment

Patient-Tailored Medicine, Part One: The Impact of Race and Genetics on Medicine

One of the more controversial elements of advancing technology is the use of race and genetics to help create more specific types of medicines that will help combat diseases and conditions that appear to be more prevalent within certain races or ethnic groups than in others. Considering the history of discrimination and inadequate treatment of individuals on the bases of race and gender in the United States, there is justifiable concern that race or gender-based treatment could be used to legitimate discrimination. On the other hand, there is substantial proof that the current method of creating medicines for the general public is problematic and could prevent effective treatments from reaching the marketplace. Part One of this series addresses the relevance of genetic information, and how race and genetics have affected and may impact the development of medicines, pharmacogenomics, and personalized medicine in the United States. Part Two, which will appear in the next issue of the Journal of Health and Life Sciences Law, will focus on how personalized medicine may affect the American legal, regulatory, and legislative environment

Patient-Tailored Medicine, Part Two: Personalized Medicine and the Legal Landscape

In Part One, the authors addressed the relevance of genetic information, and how race and genetics have affected and may impact the development of medicines, pharmacogenomics, and personalized medicine in the United States.* Part Two examines current and proposed federal and state laws and regulations intended to protect individuals from the misuse of genetic information, including uses that discriminate based on genetic predispositions. This Part next explores the potential for litigation against both manufacturers and providers, as well as potential defenses. The authors also discuss legal issues relating to research that relies on the use of genetic information

How the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Changed HIPAA’s Privacy Requirements

The 2009 economic stimulus bill, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), significantly affects the health care industry by imposing more stringent and expansive requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy and security provisions, most especially on key players in the the health care industry while simultaneously strengthening the enforcement of such provisions. Title XIII of Division A and Title IV of Division of ARRA collectively are known as the HITECH Act. Because the majority of ARRA\u27s changes to HIPAA appear in Subtitle D of Title XIII of ARRA, entitled, Privacy, Subtitle D will be the primary focus of this article, which highlights ARRA\u27s major changes to the HIPAA privacy and security provisions and explores the implications of these sweeping changes for the health care industry

Patient-Tailored Medicine, Part One: The Impact of Race and Genetics on Medicine

One of the more controversial elements of advancing technology is the use of race and genetics to help create more specific types of medicines that will help combat diseases and conditions that appear to be more prevalent within certain races or ethnic groups than in others. Considering the history of discrimination and inadequate treatment of individuals on the bases of race and gender in the United States, there is justifiable concern that race or gender-based treatment could be used to legitimate discrimination. On the other hand, there is substantial proof that the current method of creating medicines for the general public is problematic and could prevent effective treatments from reaching the marketplace. Part One of this series addresses the relevance of genetic information, and how race and genetics have affected and may impact the development of medicines, pharmacogenomics, and personalized medicine in the United States. Part Two, which will appear in the next issue of the Journal of Health and Life Sciences Law, will focus on how personalized medicine may affect the American legal, regulatory, and legislative environment

How the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Changed HIPAA’s Privacy Requirements

The 2009 economic stimulus bill, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), significantly affects the health care industry by imposing more stringent and expansive requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy and security provisions, most especially on key players in the the health care industry while simultaneously strengthening the enforcement of such provisions. Title XIII of Division A and Title IV of Division of ARRA collectively are known as the HITECH Act. Because the majority of ARRA\u27s changes to HIPAA appear in Subtitle D of Title XIII of ARRA, entitled, Privacy, Subtitle D will be the primary focus of this article, which highlights ARRA\u27s major changes to the HIPAA privacy and security provisions and explores the implications of these sweeping changes for the health care industry

Civil Society’s Involvement in Post-Conflict Peacebuilding

War is a way of life – in some parts of the world it is an on-going struggle with no end in sight. Years of perpetual conflict have adversely affected the way in which political, socio-economic, and cultural components of society have developed. Indeed, armed conflict negatively affects all aspects of society: not only does it destroy buildings and societies, but it also leaves surviving individuals and communities with deep wounds that can last a lifetime. Many efforts have been employed around the world to build peace following a conflict. Some interventions have proven quite successful, while others have not. Notably, civil society involvement is one of the most important factors in determining whether a post-conflict peacebuilding initiative will be successful. Efforts put forth by local government officials or the international community likely will be unsuccessful in post-conflict peacebuilding absent civil involvement, and without a societal belief that these measures are beneficial. Further, an involved civil society is important to hold governments accountable for their actions, strengthen public policies, and develop the community following a conflict. This article describes post-conflict societies, discusses civil society generally and in post-conflict settings, provides an overview of legal and reconciliation approaches, discusses approaches alternative to legal approaches to post-conflict peacebuilding, and suggests that “building a culture of peace” is a way in which various players with an interest in post-conflict peacebuilding can influence societies to handle conflicts peacefully. Throughout, the article highlights the important role that civil society plays in post-conflict peacebuilding efforts

Civil Society’s Involvement in Post-Conflict Peacebuilding

War is a way of life – in some parts of the world it is an on-going struggle with no end in sight. Years of perpetual conflict have adversely affected the way in which political, socio-economic, and cultural components of society have developed. Indeed, armed conflict negatively affects all aspects of society: not only does it destroy buildings and societies, but it also leaves surviving individuals and communities with deep wounds that can last a lifetime. Many efforts have been employed around the world to build peace following a conflict. Some interventions have proven quite successful, while others have not. Notably, civil society involvement is one of the most important factors in determining whether a post-conflict peacebuilding initiative will be successful. Efforts put forth by local government officials or the international community likely will be unsuccessful in post-conflict peacebuilding absent civil involvement, and without a societal belief that these measures are beneficial. Further, an involved civil society is important to hold governments accountable for their actions, strengthen public policies, and develop the community following a conflict. This article describes post-conflict societies, discusses civil society generally and in post-conflict settings, provides an overview of legal and reconciliation approaches, discusses approaches alternative to legal approaches to post-conflict peacebuilding, and suggests that “building a culture of peace” is a way in which various players with an interest in post-conflict peacebuilding can influence societies to handle conflicts peacefully. Throughout, the article highlights the important role that civil society plays in post-conflict peacebuilding efforts