A significant lack of diversity in genetic studies, with 78% of data coming from people of European descent, was found in a recent analysis published in the journal Cell. Despite efforts to address this issue, progress has been slow, according to the study led by Sarah Tishkoff, a geneticist at the University of Pennsylvania.
The underrepresentation of non-European populations in genetic research has far-reaching implications for understanding disease risk and developing targeted treatments. Eimear Kenny, a geneticist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, emphasized the importance of diversity in genetic studies, stating that the lack thereof can exacerbate health disparities.
Initiatives such as the All of Us research program by the National Institutes of Health aim to recruit a diverse cohort of participants, with a goal of enrolling at least 50% from underrepresented groups. However, challenges persist in building trust and overcoming historical mistreatment of minority communities in medical research.
Researchers are exploring innovative strategies to engage diverse populations, such as partnering with community organizations and utilizing mobile health clinics. Experts stress the need for sustained efforts and funding to address the diversity gap in genetic studies and ensure equitable representation in medical research.
See “Genetics Studies Have a Diversity Problem That Researchers Struggle To Fix” (May 21, 2024)
