Personal Genomics: Establishing the Scientific Foundation for Using Personal Genome Profiles for Risk Assessment, Health Promotion, and Disease Prevention

A workshop sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, National Human Genome Research Institute, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Purpose

This 2-day workshop, cosponsored by CDC and NIH, will explore the type of scientific foundation that is crucially needed to make the promise of personal genomics a reality. The workshop participants will explore how the integration of genomics into personalized health can follow an evidence-based process. The process for using genomic applications in personalized healthcare (e.g. pharmacogenomics, early detection markers, testing in clinical trials) is being discussed.

A multidisciplinary working group will review and discuss the scientific basis for using genomic profiles in risk assessment and disease prevention, identify gaps in knowledge, and explore how those gaps in our knowledge base can be filled through research. The participants will address—from consumer and provider perspectives—the scientific information needed to evaluate and interpret results of genomic profiles and their added value to promote health and prevent common diseases compared to traditional nongenetic approaches. A published peer-reviewed paper will summarize the discussion and recommendations for a multidisciplinary research agenda. This paper will be used to disseminate the information to providers and consumers.

Event Contacts

Sheri D. Schully, Ph.D.
National Cancer Institute
Telephone: (301) 435-4911
Email: schullys@mail.nih.gov

Barbara H. Guest, MSW, MPH
National Cancer Institute
Telephone: (301) 435-4913
Email: guestb@mail.nih.gov

Muin J. Khoury M.D., Ph.D.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
email: mkhoury@cdc.gov