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Public health and the challenge of genomics

This paper is a contribution to debate on the challenge to public health of advances in genomic science and its applications. While genomics offers exciting possibilities for mitigating and preventing disease and disability, it is outpacing society's comprehension as well as public health policy and practice. There is controversy in Australia and internationally over the eugenic implications of genomics, with desirable outcomes for pubic health set against ‘slippery slope’ arguments. Controversy cannot be avoided; we risk divisiveness if it is not carefully managed with informed, social‐consensus‐building debate. Furthermore, the intrinsic tension between genomics (with its individual and family choices) and pubic health (operating for the pubic good) may even necessitate a reconceptualisation of public health.