LAUSR

E abounds that developments in genomics are gaining increased attention, as more and more biological discoveries drive eff orts to elucidate the role of genetic variation and mutation in predisposing humans to disease. Multiple dimensions of genomic science have been the focus at many levels in both the public and private sectors. For instance, the National Human Genome Research Institute1 has called for more genomic research of Africans, and people of the African diaspora. Under the headline, Genomics is Failing on Diversity, Popejoy and Fullerton2 discuss how a complex web of historical, cultural, scientifi c, and logistical factors are sustaining an embarrassing bias in genomics. Their fi ndings indicate that the proportion of individuals included in genomewide association (GWAS) studies, (the preferred tool for discovering the genetic factors in common diseases) who are not of European descent has increased to nearly 20%. Much of this rise is the result of more studies being done in Asia on populations of Asian ancestry. It prompted warning that a much broader range of populations should be investigated to avoid genomicmedicine being of benefi t merely to a “privileged few.” Additional evidence of increased focus on genomics includes genomeediting technology which has tripped an alarm among bioethicists and other members of the scientifi c and lay communities. Recently, researchers called for restraint in genomic editing as concerns intensifi ed about the possibility of genetically engineered human beings. Although many European countries ban germline genetic engineering in humans, the United States and China do not have such laws.3 Still another metric of advances in the science of genomics is the growth of the body of literature. It has increased greatly both in monographic and periodic publications. In fact, genomic medicine permeates not only the medical literature but the press, and the economy as well, prompting Greely to observe “Genomics is just too many things: It is omnipotent and irrelevant; unchangeable or acutely responsive to its environment. It is about health and disease as well as human enhancement. It can be used as a tool for tracing ancestry from our ethnic forebears to more recent family and it has become a key to criminal identifi cation.”4[p. 1446] In this issue of the Journal, Horowitz and colleagues5 add to the growing literature regarding multiple dimensions of genomics and chronic disease. The researchers report a novel approach to exploring information required to aid the translation of genomic discoveries into the health care of patients.