At this point in time, genetic testing is the ‘cherry on top’ of personalized medicine. In many scientists’ minds, medicine can only truly be made personal if the treatments are tailored around their specific genomes.

Medicine has been working well for centuries without much genetic involvement. The Personalized medicine Coalition points out that, “In a sense, physicians have always practiced personalized medicine. They routinely use diagnostic tests to determine a patient’s disease. They also switch drugs or adjust dosages to optimize treatment or avoid harmful side effects” (Personalized Medicine Coalition, 2006). Every interaction a physician has with their patient is personalized. A doctor always tries to do what is in the best interest of the individual patient.

Personalized medicine does not have to only refer to medicine based on genetics. As Wylie Burke describes, “Even in the genomic era, the focus on individual patient needs and concerns will remain at the core of health care; and if genetic testing diverts physicians’ attentions away from the specific concerns of the patient, it may interfere with the practice of personalized medicine” ( Burke, 2007). It is important for physicians to see that they have always been practicing personalized medicine. They have always looked at each person on an individual basis. Physicians must remember to still practice this form of personalized medicine even when genetics takes a bigger lead. Basing everything only on genetics and tests takes all the personal out of the equation. Who needs a doctor when a machine can tell you every disease you could ever encounter?

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