Why are genetic banking programs important?
by Wendy Wolf, Ph.D.

Genetics has the capacity to revolutionize how medicine is practiced and become an integrated part of mainstream clinical care. Applications dependent on genetic technology include: development of predictive tests for adult diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease; selection of the most effective drugs, while minimizing side effects, based on individual genetic profiles; and development of methods to treat or even cure diseases at a molecular level using gene therapy. Before this becomes a reality, we need to gain a better understanding of the genetic contributions to common diseases.

We are living in a time of the convergence of a number of different advancements. The human genome has been sequenced, projects examining the scope of human genetic variation have begun, and advances in genotyping technology make large-scale experiments possible. These innovations allow us the unique opportunity to dramatically increase our understanding of genetic factors contributing to disease and response to treatment. Despite these developments, access to sufficient numbers of DNA samples with associated high quality medical information remains a major obstacle in genetic research. In outlining its vision for the future of genomics research, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has called for development of cohort populations for studies designed to identify the genetic contributions to disease and drug response1. Additionally, Dr. Francis Collins, Director of NHGRI, recently expressed his opinion that prospective cohort studies must be developed if the promise of reducing disease burden is to be realized2. NUgene seeks to meet this need by providing DNA samples and associated health information for a wide range of investigations.

Never before has the promise of new treatments and cures for diseases been more real than it is right now. With your support, together we can advance healthcare. One gene at a time.

References

1. Collins FS, Green ED, Guttmacher AE, and MS Guyer (2003). A vision for the future of genomics research: A blueprint for the genomic era. Nature. 422: 835-847.

2. Collins FS (2004). The case for a US prospective cohort study of genes and environment. Nature. 429: 475-477.