About GGMI Overview
Genomic medicine uses family medical history and genetic information to identify people who are likely to acquire common diseases. Despite its potential, little has been done to make genomic medicine available within community healthcare settings. This is the primary goal of the first phase of GGMI’s operation.
The three core activities for this first phase are: to create a computer program to collect and analyze family history information, develop protocols that doctors can use to follow patients who are more likely to get certain diseases, and educate the community, patients, and healthcare providers about genomic medicine.
The project will initially focus on identifying and caring for people who are more likely to develop breast/ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and thrombosis. In a later phase, testing will be available to patients with specific conditions to see which medications may be most effective for them. Research will be done to find gene changes that increase the chance of getting certain diseases. Finally, risk factors that increase the chance for heart disease and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer and Parkinson disease will be added to the model.
The initiative is taking place in Guilford County, North Carolina. Four institutions are involved. They are:
> Moses Cone Health System (clinical sites and administration),
> Center for Human Genetics at Duke University (clinical operations),
> The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (community and professional education)
> Miami Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, FL (research).
The project began to receive funding in 2005 from the Department of Defense. The military healthcare system currently spends $38 billion per year on healthcare for its personnel and veterans. At its current rate of growth, the cost of healthcare in the military is expected to be $64 billion per year by 2015. The integration of genomic medicine into the military healthcare system can reduce these costs while maintaining a high-quality of care for military personnel and veterans.
