Researchers have stated that a study analyzing the genetic code of a quarter of a million American volunteers has discovered over 275 million entirely new genetic variants, which may help explain why some individuals are more susceptible to diseases than others. The complete genome sequencing data, taken from a diverse array of Americans, aims to address the historical lack of diversity in current genetic content databases by focusing on underrepresented groups.
The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health in the United States, revealed a total of one billion genetic variants. Dr. Josh Denny, the study's lead author, said, "Sequencing diverse population groups could lead to the development of new medications that can treat everyone." He added, "It could also help uncover disparities that lead to specific drugs for people suffering from more severe levels of disease or different illnesses."
*Expanding the Research*
The researchers, in a series of papers published in "Nature" and other scientific journals, indicated that four million of the newly discovered variants in the genetic code are found in areas that may be linked to disease risk. Denny remarked, "This (number) is huge." The study aims to collect DNA and other biospecimen data from one million people to better understand the genetic impacts on health and disease.
So far, about 90 percent of genome studies have been conducted on people of European descent, leading to a limited understanding of disease evolution and slowing down the development of effective drugs and prevention strategies in diverse populations, as noted by the heads of several National Institutes of Health departments. Denny stated, "Clearly, it's a huge gap because most of the world's population is not of European descent."
