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Reflections on the Cost Consequences of the New Gene Technology for Health Policy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2009

Pauline Vaillancourt Rosenau
Pauline Vaillancourt Rosenau
Affiliation:
University of Texas—Houston School of Public Health
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Abstract

This article presents a preliminary and necessarily tentative and subjective assessment of the impact of new gene technology on health care costs. In the short term, diagnosis and treatment of genetic disease are likely to increase costs. Treatment with nongene therapy will continue to be far less expensive than gene therapy where it is available. Research developments to monitor as indicators of forthcoming cost reductions in genetic therapy are set forth. Some forms of genetic screening may soon reduce health care costs, and an example is provided. Genetically engineered Pharmaceuticals are described and their impact on costs reviewed. Conditions under which they are likely to reduce health care costs are indicated.

Type
Special Section: Genetic Technology
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , Fall 1994 , pp. 546 - 561
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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