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The next steps for genomic medicine: challenges and opportunities for the developing world

Nature Reviews Genetics volume 9, pages S23–S27 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

This is a historical moment on the path to genomic medicine — the point at which theory is about to be translated into practice. We have previously described human genome variation studies taking place in Mexico, India, Thailand, and South Africa. Such investments into science and technology will enable these countries to embark on the path to the medical and health applications of genomics, and to benefit economically. Here we provide a perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing these and other countries in the developing world as they begin to harness genomics for the benefit of their populations.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by Genome Canada through the Ontario Genomics Institute. The Indian Council of Medical Research provided in kind co-funding for this research. The McLaughlin–Rotman Centre for Global Health, Program on Life Sciences, Ethics and Policy is primarily supported by Genome Canada through the Ontario Genomics Institute, the Ontario Research Fund, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Other matching partners are listed at The McLaughlin–Rotman Centre for Global Health web site. A.S.D. and P.A.S. are supported by the McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine. P.A.S. is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Distinguished Investigator award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Billie-Jo Hardy, Béatrice Séguin, Peter A. Singer and Abdallah S. Daar are at the McLaughlin–Rotman Centre for Global Health, Program on Life Sciences, Ethics and Policy, University Health Network and University of Toronto, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Suite 406, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada.,

    Billie-Jo Hardy, Béatrice Séguin, Peter A. Singer & Abdallah S. Daar

  2. Federico Goodsaid is at the Genomics Group, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Science, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Building 51, Room 2148, Silver Spring, Maryland 20903-0002, USA.,

    Federico Goodsaid

  3. Gerardo Jimenez-Sanchez is at the National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Periferico Sur 4124, Torre Zafiro II, Piso 6 Col. Jardines del Pedregal, Mexico D.F. 01900, Mexico.,

    Gerardo Jimenez-Sanchez

  4. Béatrice Séguin is also at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada.,

    Béatrice Séguin

  5. Peter A. Singer and Abdallah S. Daar are also at the McLaughlin Centre for Molecular Medicine, MaRS Centre, Toronto Medical Discovery Tower, Suite 701, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada.,

    Peter A. Singer & Abdallah S. Daar

Authors
  1. Billie-Jo Hardy
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  2. Béatrice Séguin
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  3. Federico Goodsaid
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  4. Gerardo Jimenez-Sanchez
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  5. Peter A. Singer
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  6. Abdallah S. Daar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abdallah S. Daar.

Related links

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Al-Mulla molecular pathology laboratory, University of Kuwait

Avesthagen Ltd

Beijing Institute of Genomics, China

Emerging Regulatory Issues in Genomic Medicine conference overview

European Science Foundation

eVOC software program

Genome-based Research and Population Health International Network (GRaPH-Int)

Human Genome Diversity Project of Iran (HGDPI)

International Conference on Harmonization (ICH)

McLaughlin–Rotman Centre for Global Health

National Institute for Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), Mexico

Pharmacogenetics for Every Nation Initiative (PGENI)

South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI)

The Public Population Project in Genomics (P3G)

UK Biobank

US National Office of Public Health Genomics

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Hardy, BJ., Séguin, B., Goodsaid, F. et al. The next steps for genomic medicine: challenges and opportunities for the developing world. Nat Rev Genet 9 (Suppl 1), S23–S27 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg2444

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