RJA 14

a)  What are some of the advances in the ophthalmic field regarding genetic medicine and genomics?
Retina is brain tissue that processes what our eyes see.  Retinal tears and corneal abrasions are often excruciatingly painful and are recur at a high rate once the first instance has happened.  There is current research being conducted in the redevelopment of retinal tissue based on sample cells taken from the patient's retina.  There research will also help with macular degeneration, which is the major cause of blindness in adults over 50, and caused by retinal damage.
b)  How can you see genomics changing the face of medicine, from detection and diagnosis to treatment and recovery, or even prevention?
That is sort of like asking how air travel changed the face of the shipping industry.  The possibilities are endless, and so are the responsibilities.
c)  What are some barriers that genetic medicine might face?
The greatest obstacle for genetic medicine is the medical field itself.  In addition to the ethical questions and concerns, integrating new processes and policies might cause a rift in the industry.  Take, for example, the importance of family history; if this becomes a major player in medicine, people who were adopted, or were conceived with the help of a sperm donor, would have to legislate for their rights to know their genetic background.
d)  What might be some ethical/moral issues that might surface when it comes to research or application of genetic medicine?
As the news media often brings up the topic, the subject of stem cells is highly controversial - when does a cell or a grouping of cells actually become a living being with rights?  In an extreme case, the possibility of endless life could cause a whole different ethical concern.  An argument could also be made about the resurrection of someone who has been in a near-fatal accident, and has to be essentially rebuilt from the ground up: what gives us the right to interfere?
e)  Is the idea of individualized medicine that far-fetched?  In our lifetimes?
Not at all.  There are already tests to diagnose for hundreds of genetic disorders, and daily a new secret is unlocked.  While it may not become available on a large scale, genetic medicine should become mainstream in less than 20  years.
f)  What sort of big-picture impacts do you see in a society that has a cure for everything?  Overpopulation, depleted resources, etc. come to mind, but I want your take.
There are plenty of impacts, and some which we won't even think of until they happen.  My greatest concern is the further destabilization and privatization of the medical industry, which in my opinion would broaden the gap between who can and can't afford top-notch care.
g)  There are medicines out there right now that have serious impact -- we know that MAOI inhibitors and SSRI's can create new neural pathways and literlly change the chemistry of our brain -- but are considered by many to be the only cure for severe depression.  How might genetic medicine impact some of these serious side effects?  Could there be new, unconsidered side effects?
Genetic medicine is doing instantly what these other medicines take years to complete - and that is changing the structure of "who you are."  By inhibiting certain neurotransmitters, depression and anxiety medicines often rewire the brain.  A retrovirus fitted with a "modified" gene accomplishes the same result.  There could most certainly be additional side effects that we couldn't fathom, but that's what FDA testing is for  While their standards may be questionable, at least some data is available before decisions are made.