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TOWN HALL ON GENES, ENVIRONMENT & YOUR HEALTH
The greatest challenge in public health today is finding better ways to prevent and treat common diseases - diseases like heart disease, cancer, obesity, and stroke. But the causes of these diseases are complicated and involve an individual’s genes, environment, and lifestyle. Understanding how these factors cause disease can lead to new treatments that may save lives. However, research to find which factors cause these diseases is challenging and would require hundreds of thousands of Americans to participate in a national “biobank.” The biobank would contain genetic samples and health information from volunteers. Scientists would use the information in the biobank to conduct research on the causes of many common diseases.
Although biobanks provide a valuable research tool for scientists studying disease, some people have concerns. Could the information be used against them if they participated? Who would have access to the database? Could employers, insurers, or law enforcement agencies gain access to their data? Who would decide what kind of research could be done using the biobank?
Other countries have begun to create large national biobanks. Is it time for the United States to consider doing the same thing? Are the risks worth the rewards? What do you think? It’s time to speak up. The National Institutes of Health and other federal healthcare agencies are considering starting a large study to create a national biobank. They have asked the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins to gather feedback about the idea from the general public.
As a part of that process, the Center is conducting a town hall in Phoenix. You and your community have an incredible opportunity to shape a study that may have tremendous impact on the future of health care.
No matter what your viewpoint is, we want to hear it.
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