Breakthrough in discovery of genetic basis for disease
Released: 07 June 2007
The results of a groundbreaking study into the genetic basis of disease have been published today (07/06/2007) in the journal Nature.
A consortium of over 50 UK research groups, funded by the Wellcome Trust has analysed DNA from the blood of 17,000 people across the UK to find genetic markers associated with seven common diseases. Their work has identified new genetic variants apparently linked to rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Crohn’s disease, coronary artery disease, bipolar disorder, and type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is hoped this knowledge could open the door to new ways of diagnosing, understanding and treating these illnesses.
The scope and scale of this genome-wide association scan puts it at the leading edge of what some are calling a ‘gold rush’ in the identification of genes linked to different diseases. Speaking on the BBC 10-O’Clock News (06/06/2007) Peter Donnelly from the University of Oxford said, “We have learned more over the last 12 months than we had in the previous 15 years of research in the field, and that pace is going to increase over the next couple of years.”
Professor Steve Yearley, Director of the ESRC Genomics Forum, commented:
“As you might expect the initial reporting of this research focuses on the great potential for medicine, patients and families to benefit from this science. Some mention has already been made about possible implications for personalised medicine and health insurance, but a careful discussion of the wider ethical and economic impacts for society also needs to take place.
“There is also the important question of the relative significance of genetic and lifestyle or environmental influences on health and illness. This innovative scientific work focuses on genes alone. It would not be wise to let public debate about health and wellbeing be dominated by genetics.
“The ESRC Genomics Network has active social science research programmes in many of these areas. The Forum will be offering commentaries via our website www.genomicsforum.ac.uk as the weeks progress.”
View the full press statement
ESRC Genomics Network Commentary
In the coming weeks, researchers from across the ESRC Genomics Network will be contributing thoughts and research findings relating to the genetic basis of disease which will be posted on this web page.
Commentaries will focus on:
- How is information about the genetic basis of disease affecting our understanding of personal identity and 'nature vs nurture'?
- How might knowledge about genetic predispositions to disease affect lifestyle choices and family relationships?
- How should we regulate access to personal genetic information by (i) insurance companies, (ii) biotechnology companies and drug-discovery teams, (iii) doctors and the medical profession, and (iv) police and intelligence services? Should they all be regulated in the same way?
- Is there any value in predicting an individual's predisposition to disease if there are no preventive treatments?
- Is there a future for personalised medicine?
Further information and links:
Research findings + commentaries can be found in the 7 June 2007 issue of Nature
Serious diseases genes revealed, (BBC online - 06/06/2007)
Study tracks gene links to diseases (Channel 4 - 06/06/2007)
Scientists make bipolar gene find (BBC - 06/06/2007)
Q&A: Gene discovery (BBC - 06/06/2007)
Gene findings: disease by disease (BBC - 06/06/2007)
The genetic revolution, (The Independent - 07/06/2007)
An atlas of the human body, (The Independent - 07/06/2007)
Contact name: ESRC Genomics Network
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