Download Exploring nation`s gene pool

The Herald Leader Column 2 nd February 2006 Exploring nation’s gene pool Meet Generation S. Like Generation X, the role of the environment in shaping its development is under scrutiny. Unlike Generation X (those born in the 1960s and 70s whose cultural development was affected by landmark external events), the investigation of Generation S is groundbreaking, intensive, tightly focused and potentially of huge benefit to the health of all Scots. Generation S (short for Scotland) encompasses people born from the 1950s onwards. The first wave of Generation Scotland volunteers is being recruited for a venture, launched yesterday, involving the medical schools at Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow universities. Some 50,000 family members will provide medical information and samples of their DNA for the £6.2m project to monitor their health over the next generation. Dipping into this gene pool has been made possible by the human genome project. The exhaustive programme of DNA sequencing unravelled the make­up of each of the 20,000 genes that account for the human constitution. It gave Generation Scotland Scientists and doctors the opportunity to understand how the genes people inherit influence health. Families are the target group because they share more genes. Many common conditions such as cancer, heart attack, stroke and metal health problems (all of which take a toll on the health of Scots) tend to cluster in families. If fewer genes differ it should be easier to identify those that make one individual ill and another healthy. The aim of the research is to pinpoint and map the contributions genes make to illnesses and disease so that treatments can be developed to neutralise the risk they pose. But it is not only inherited genes that determine whether we fall ill or stay well. The environment we live in and the lifestyles we follow also contribute. The programme will also collate and analyse information about these factors to find out more about their role – and identify measures to combat their baleful health impact. The more we know about lifestyle and diet the easier it should be to educate people about changing bad habits so that they can live longer, healthier lives. By far the most exciting element in this project is the potential from harnessing healthcare genetics to enable Scots finally to shake off the sick man and woman of Europe tag. The results will help identify those Scots at greatest risk of developing genetic conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis or
mental illness. They would be given new drugs at the earliest possible opportunity to avoid serious problems in later life. The gene bank should also make it easier for prescriptions to be tailored to individual needs so that the right treatment is given to the right patients. Medicine does not always work for each patient. Making sure it does across the population would mean less waste and better use of public investment in the health service. If ever a service needed to make every penny count for frontline services it is the NHS. For all sorts of reasons this initiative must be welcomed. It should further enhance Scotland’s record, already impressive, in medical science.