New DNA map could lead to better medical treatments

Scientists have developed an updated map of all human DNA, which could help to transform medical research.

According to Dr Eric Green, director for the National Human Genome Research Institute in Maryland, the research has the potential to transform medical research.

“This represents a tremendous scientific achievement. A pangenome that better reflects the diversity of the human population will enable scientists to better understand how genetic variation influences health and disease and moves us to a future in which genomic medicine benefits everyone.”

The pangenome consists of 47 separate DNA maps of people from different ancestries, which can also be combined and compared with new software tools to find important genetic differences.

Two recent studies in the UK, Ireland and US, found that children of European ancestry were twice as likely to be diagnosed with genetic tests than those from African ancestry.

Dr Alexander Arguello, of the National Human Genome Research Institute, says the aim of the new project was to change those outcomes.

“The hope is that once you capture sufficient diversity you will get the same diagnostic results whatever the population.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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