Long Aim for Gene Study
The world's biggest nature and nurture project expects to begin looking for 500,000 middle-aged people to volunteer a DNA sample and confidential health information in 18 months time. John Newton, chief executive of the £60m UK Biobank Project, will describe its plans to MPs,...
The world's biggest nature and nurture project expects to begin looking for 500,000 middle-aged people to volunteer a DNA sample and confidential health information in 18 months time.
John Newton, chief executive of the £60m UK Biobank Project, will describe its plans to MPs, academics, and industrial leaders in London tonight.
He says that more scientific work is still needed to finalise the project's design, and it will be "at least another 18 months" before it can begin looking for volunteers aged 45 to 69 to take part.
The project is intended to examine the complex interaction between genes, environment and lifestyle by gathering data and tracking the health of those taking part for up to 30 years.
Its scientists hope that it will identify previously unknown chemicals linked to genes and diseases, paving the way for new treatments and methods of predicting illnesses.
Critics have expressed concern about the scientific validity of the project and the danger of genetic information being misused.
The organisation GeneWatch UK has called for an independent review of the project.
An initial £45m is being provided by the Wellcome Trust, the medical research council and the Department of Health.
Dr Newton says that the true value of the Biobank may not be realised for 30 years, but he hopes that it will lead to vital discoveries which may save thousands of lives. "It is the equivalent of planting the shade trees for the next generation, and as such is inevitably going to be criticised by those that think there are more pressing short term needs."
John Newton, chief executive of the £60m UK Biobank Project, will describe its plans to MPs, academics, and industrial leaders in London tonight.
He says that more scientific work is still needed to finalise the project's design, and it will be "at least another 18 months" before it can begin looking for volunteers aged 45 to 69 to take part.
The project is intended to examine the complex interaction between genes, environment and lifestyle by gathering data and tracking the health of those taking part for up to 30 years.
Its scientists hope that it will identify previously unknown chemicals linked to genes and diseases, paving the way for new treatments and methods of predicting illnesses.
Critics have expressed concern about the scientific validity of the project and the danger of genetic information being misused.
The organisation GeneWatch UK has called for an independent review of the project.
An initial £45m is being provided by the Wellcome Trust, the medical research council and the Department of Health.
Dr Newton says that the true value of the Biobank may not be realised for 30 years, but he hopes that it will lead to vital discoveries which may save thousands of lives. "It is the equivalent of planting the shade trees for the next generation, and as such is inevitably going to be criticised by those that think there are more pressing short term needs."
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