Gene project grows legs

This time next year Western Australia will take the first steps towards becoming a world leader in genetic research.

The WA Genome Health Project, led by Professor Lyle Palmer from the WA Institute for Medical Research, will be undertaking a pilot program in a yet-to-be-disclosed Perth suburb, with all residents in that suburb asked to give a DNA sample and some baseline medical data.

Following the trial, Professor Palmer hopes to take the project state wide, which, if successful, would create what would be considered the best basis for genetic research in the world.

Accountants Ernst and Young have been engaged to prepare a business plan, and the Department of Health has funded a community outreach officer to spread public awareness of the project.

Professor Palmer said the structures were being set up in order to facilitate the Genome Health Project, including a trust with a board of directors.

“We have already done an enormous amount of work and the pilot program will give us important information about how feasible the project is, and bring issues into the open,” he said.

“It is clear to everyone that if we do this it will create the most premier resource in the world for research on genetics, and we are getting enormous international recognition as potential leaders in the field.”

Professor Palmer said the pilot project, which was expected to last a year, would be in a good position to approach the state and federal governments for funding.

“As an investment in infrastructure, it is relatively small for an enormous return – it is important that the resource is government funded, but after it is created we will need industry to help utilise it for commercial benefits,” he said.

Professor Palmer said 95 per cent of GPs recently surveyed for their views on the project were very supportive.

A simple way of describing the project is like the Busselton Health Study, which is one of the longest running epidemiological research programs in the world, but on a state wide scale, according to Professor Palmer.

The Busselton Health Study has become internationally recognised, and more than 300 health research articles have been published based on its findings.

“The aim of all of this is not only to treat, but be able to prevent disease in the first place,” he said.

“We can’t afford our health system right now, and the only way to make it more efficient is to do better research.”