Do we know enough? : a scientific and ethical analysis of the basis for genetic-based personalized nutrition

Görman, Ulf; Mathers, John; Grimaldi, Keith; Ahlgren, Jennie; Nordström, Karin

doi:10.21256/zhaw-21806

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-21806

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Do we know enough? : a scientific and ethical analysis of the basis for genetic-based personalized nutrition
Authors:	Görman, Ulf Mathers, John Grimaldi, Keith Ahlgren, Jennie Nordström, Karin
et. al:	No
DOI:	10.21256/zhaw-21806
Published in:	Genes & Nutrition
Volume(Issue):	8
Issue:	4
Page(s):	373
Pages to:	381
Issue Date:	2013
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	BioMed Central
ISSN:	1865-3499 1555-8932
Language:	English
Subjects:	Personalised nutrition; Ethics; Nutrigenetics; Evidence; Paternalism; Autonomy
Subject (DDC):	613.2: Dietetics
Abstract:	This article discusses the prospects and limitations of the scientific basis for offering personalized nutrition advice based upon individual genetic information. Two divergent scientific positions are presented, with an ethical comment. The crucial question is whether the current knowledge base is sufficiently strong for taking an ethically responsible decision to offer personalized nutrition advice based upon gene–diet–health interaction. According to the first position, the evidence base for translating the outcomes of nutrigenomics research into personalized nutritional advice is as yet immature. There is also limited evidence that genotype-based dietary advice will motivate appropriate behavior changes. Filling the gaps in our knowledge will require larger and better randomized controlled trials. According to the second position, personalized nutrition must be evaluated in relation to generally accepted standard dietary advice—partly derived from epidemiological observations and usually not proven by clinical trials. With personalized nutrition, we cannot demand stronger evidence. In several specific cases of gene–diet interaction, it may be more beneficial for individuals with specific genotypes to follow personalized advice rather than general dietary recommendations. The ethical comment, finally, considers the ethical aspects of deciding how to proceed in the face of such uncertainty. Two approaches for an ethically responsible way forward are proposed. Arguing from a precautionary approach, it is suggested that personalized dietary advice should be offered only when there is strong scientific evidence for health effects, followed by stepwise evaluation of unforeseen behavioral and psychological effects. Arguing from theoretical and applied ethics as well as psychology, it is also suggested that personalized advice should avoid paternalism and instead focus on supporting the autonomous choice of each person.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/21806
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	Licence according to publishing contract
Departement:	School of Health Sciences
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Public Health (IPH)
Appears in collections:	Publikationen Gesundheit

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Görman, U., Mathers, J., Grimaldi, K., Ahlgren, J., & Nordström, K. (2013). Do we know enough? : a scientific and ethical analysis of the basis for genetic-based personalized nutrition. Genes & Nutrition, 8(4), 373–381. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-21806

Görman, U. et al. (2013) ‘Do we know enough? : a scientific and ethical analysis of the basis for genetic-based personalized nutrition’, Genes & Nutrition, 8(4), pp. 373–381. Available at: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-21806.

U. Görman, J. Mathers, K. Grimaldi, J. Ahlgren, and K. Nordström, “Do we know enough? : a scientific and ethical analysis of the basis for genetic-based personalized nutrition,” Genes & Nutrition, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 373–381, 2013, doi: 10.21256/zhaw-21806.

GÖRMAN, Ulf, John MATHERS, Keith GRIMALDI, Jennie AHLGREN und Karin NORDSTRÖM, 2013. Do we know enough? : a scientific and ethical analysis of the basis for genetic-based personalized nutrition. Genes & Nutrition. 2013. Bd. 8, Nr. 4, S. 373–381. DOI 10.21256/zhaw-21806

Görman, Ulf, John Mathers, Keith Grimaldi, Jennie Ahlgren, and Karin Nordström. 2013. “Do We Know Enough? : A Scientific and Ethical Analysis of the Basis for Genetic-Based Personalized Nutrition.” Genes & Nutrition 8 (4): 373–81. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-21806.

Görman, Ulf, et al. “Do We Know Enough? : A Scientific and Ethical Analysis of the Basis for Genetic-Based Personalized Nutrition.” Genes & Nutrition, vol. 8, no. 4, 2013, pp. 373–81, https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-21806.