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Inquiry into genomic medicine launched |
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Thursday, 28 February 2008 |
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee today published a call for evidence for a new inquiry into genomic medicine.
In 2001 the complete DNA sequence of the human genome was published,
and recent advances in technology are making it possible to carry out
genome-wide comparison studies with the prospect of finding out what
variations in people's genomes make them more susceptible to certain
complex common diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
However the science is still in its early stages and the Committee is
seeking to identify the state of progress in genomic medical research
and how its translation into clinical practice can be facilitated.
The Committee is inviting any interested parties to submit evidence to
its inquiry. Some areas of interest to the committee include who is in
charge of setting and reviewing policy; how effective the policy and
investment framework is in supporting research in this area; and
whetyher there should be a common public database of genomic
information.
The committee also wants to know what impact genomic information will
have on the classification of disease; how useful genomic information
will be as part of individualised medical advice; and whether there
should be a regulatory code covering the provision of this advice.
Lord Patel, who will chair the Sub-Committee on Genomic Medicine, said:
"Genomic medicine may be in its infancy but it will clearly have a huge
impact on the way health care is delivered over the next few decades.
"We have heard many ambitious predictions of the positive impact
genomic medicine could have on a whole range of complex common
diseases. Our inquiry will seek to identify what exactly is the state
of genomic medical research both within the UK and world-wide.
"We will look at this issue in great detail and we would invite written
evidence from any individuals or organisations who feel they can
contribute to our inquiry."
The deadline for the submission of written evidence is April 21.
See the full call for evidence
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