How do budget cuts impact genetic medicine?

In this conversation, Eric Green discusses the role of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in leading the Human Genome Project and advancing genomic research. He shares his journey at NHGRI, highlighting the significant progress made in genomic medicine, including the All of Us Research Program, which aims to collect genomic and health data from a diverse population. Dr. Green emphasizes the importance of public sector involvement in data sharing and the challenges faced in genomic research. He also addresses the potential impact of funding cuts on future research initiatives. Dr. Green discusses the importance of public advocacy for genomics research and the need for a more equitable approach to genomic medicine. We  highlight the growing relevance of genomics in healthcare and the necessity for better public understanding and communication of genomic information.

 

Key Takeaways:

• The NHGRI was established to lead the Human Genome Project.
• Genomic information can improve disease diagnosis and treatment.
• The cost of sequencing a human genome has drastically decreased.
• The All of Us Research Program aims to collect genomic and health data from a million participants.
• Public sector involvement is crucial for data sharing in genomics.
• Funding cuts to NIH could severely impact genomic research initiatives.
• There is a risk of losing a generation of young scientists due to current policies.
• Healthcare professionals need to be equipped to discuss genomics with patients.
• The future of genomic medicine depends on continued research and public engagement.

 

Dr. Eric Green is a genomics researcher, Human Genome Project participant, and former Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). He was the third NHGRI Director, having been appointed by NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins in 2009. He served as NHGRI Director from 2009 to 2025.

Dr. Green was at NHGRI for over 30 years, during which he was appointed to multiple key leadership positions prior to becoming the NHGRI Director. This included serving as the NHGRI Scientific Director for 7 years, Chief of the NHGRI Genome Technology Branch for 13 years, and Founding Director of the NIH Intramural Sequencing Center for 12 years.

For just over two decades, Dr. Green directed an independent research program that included integral start-to-finish roles in the Human Genome Project, groundbreaking work on mapping, sequencing, and comparing mammalian genomes, and key discoveries about the genes involved in several rare genetic diseases.

Dr. Green earned his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in 1987 from Washington University in St. Louis; coincidentally, the word “genomics” was coined in that same year. Throughout his career, he has authored and co-authored over 395 scientific publications. Dr. Green has earned multiple honors and awards, including election to the National Academy of Medicine in 2023.

Following his greater than 30 years of public service as a federal employee at NHGRI and NIH, Dr. Green is now using his extensive experience in leading government-funded research programs to foster the expansion of genomics in academia, healthcare, and everyday life.

 

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