Genomics is the study of the entire human genome and has great potential for improving the health of the public. Unlike genetics (the study of the functions and effects of single genes), genomics explores not only the actions of single genes, but also the interactions of multiple genes with each other and with the environment.
The international scientific community sequenced the human genome in 2001, thereby commencing the long and arduous task of understanding the relationships between variation in genes, environmental exposures, and human health. To date, most of the benefits of advances in genomics have been cast in individual terms, focusing primarily on clinical decision making, health care policy, and bioethics. There is, however, another important aspect of genomic science that has the potential to powerfully affect the health and well-being of populations. Known as "public health genomics," this emerging field assesses the impact of genes and their interaction with behavior, diet, and the environment on the population's health.
In order to better describe the implications of genomics for the public's health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention (CDC) contracted with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to convene a committee that would plan and conduct a workshop on the topic. This workshop summary, titled Implications of Genomics for Public Health, summarizes speaker presentations on major scientific and policy issues related to genomics and public health, major supports for and challenges to the translation of genetic research into population health benefits, and approaches for the integration of genomic information into strategies for promoting health and preventing disease.
The CDC also requested that the IOM committee prioritize issues and approaches raised during the workshop. Therefore, a "Priorities" section contains committee conclusions regarding prioritization of issues raised by the presenters with suggestions for next steps.