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Aren't
prescribed medicines already safe and effective?
For the most part, yes. But medicines are not
one-size-fits-all. While typical doses work pretty well for
most people, some medicines don't work at all in certain people
or the medicines can cause annoying, sometimes life-threatening,
side effects.
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Why do people react
differently to medicines?
As medicines
move through the body, they interact with thousands of molecules
called proteins. Because each person is genetically unique,
we all have tiny differences in the make-up and amounts of these
proteins, which can affect the way medicines do their jobs.
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Who pays for the
study of genes and medicines?
The
National Institutes of Health provides money to scientists at
universities and medical centers who come up with the best plans
for carrying out research on how genes cause people to respond
differently to medicines.
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Why should my tax
dollars be spent on medical research that is not directly related
to specific diseases?
Curing and
preventing disease is the National Institutes of Health's highest
priority. Research on how people respond differently to medicines
will make current and future treatments for diseases such as
cancer, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and asthma safer
and more effective. A bonus of this type of research will be
a better understanding of the roles many different genes play
in causing or contributing to these and other diseases.
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Who participates
in this research?
National Institutes
of Health-funded scientists across the country recruit volunteers
who reflect America's rich population diversity. Research of
this type relies upon studying many different people with a
broad range of genetic make-ups to find the small, but normal,
genetic differences among all humans.
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Why should I participate
in this research?
Although participating
in a medical research study cannot guarantee any benefits to
an individual, these important studies ensure that the best
new treatments are proven to work before they make their way
into the lives of large numbers of patients.
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Will participating
in this kind of study have any effects on my health?
Most of these research studies involve drawing
a blood sample or rubbing the inside of a volunteer's cheek
with a cotton swab to collect cells. Scientists get DNA—the
genetic material—from these samples. There are no significant
health risks associated with this type of test.
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Will I need to take
medicine to participate in this research?
Not
usually. However, some pharmacogenetic studies may involve asking
a research participant to take a medicine in addition to providing
a DNA sample. People who volunteer for this type of study are
fully informed of potential risks.
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What happens to my
DNA sample?
Scientists store the
DNA information provided by your sample in a research database.
Your DNA sample will only be used for the research explained
to you before you agree to participate. You may also be asked
if your DNA sample could be used for certain future medical
research studies. That decision is entirely up to you.
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What about my privacy?
The privacy of all people participating in this
research is protected. Scientists will not match your name or
other information with the DNA information that is recorded
in the research database.
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Will the researchers
tell me what they learn about my DNA?
That
depends on the design of the research study. The steps that
make sure no one knows a DNA sample came from you mean that
the scientists would not be able to provide you with specific
information about your health. However, the results of the study
will most likely be published in a scientific journal, advancing
medical knowledge and helping many others.
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Is pharmacogenetic
testing available now?
Currently,
most pharmacogenetic testing is done on a research basis, although
more widespread testing may become available in a few years.
The Food and Drug Administration is developing new rules about
including pharmacogenetic information, when available, in material
that health care providers use when prescribing medicines.
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