Scripps Institute starts "first" large study of gene testing's effects
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The Scripps Translational Science Institute in San Diego, California, has started a trial to assess the impact of genetic testing. The study, co-sponsored by Navigenics, Affymetrix and Microsoft, will analyse the DNA of up to 10,000 Scripps Health hospital employees, family members and friends, and will track changes in their behaviour over the next 20 years. Affymetrix (Santa Clara, California) will scan each participant's genome and Navigenics (Redwood Shores, California) will interpret the results and offer personalised guidance. Scripps plans to report the first results in April or May 2009, about three months after the tests. Participants will be questioned about their subsequent lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise and smoking. Earlier this month, experts questioned the role of gene testing, saying they could cause unnecessary stress (see Clinica No 1324, p 30).