Scientists are setting out to collect genetic material from 500,000 people of African ancestry to create what they believe will be the world’s largest database of genomic information from the population.
The initiative was launched Wednesday by Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as Regeneron Genetics Center, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk and Roche.
Organizers said there’s a clear need for the project, pointing to research showing that less than 2% of genetic information being studied today comes from people of African ancestry.
Each of the pharmaceutical companies involved intends to contribute $20 million toward the genetic and educational parts of the effort.
___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group.
Persons:
Meharry, ”, Anil Shanker, Lyndon Mitnaul
Organizations:
Meharry Medical College, Genetics Center, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Genomics Institute, Organizers, Regeneron Genetics, University of Zambia, Project, Genetics, Corporate, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP
Locations:
Nashville , Tennessee, Americas, Asia, Europe, Nashville, U.S, Africa, Meharry