Printer Friendly Page
---------------
VA Panel Begins Ground-Breaking Review of
Genomic Research
October 19, 2006
WASHINGTON – Continuing the leadership role of the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) in fostering ground-breaking medical research,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson this week attended the first
meeting of a committee of internationally recognized scientists and
veterans' advocates established to advise the Department on emerging
issues in genomic medicine.
"Genomic medicine -- using our growing knowledge of human genes -- to
treat and even prevent health care problems will be a key medical tool
in the 21st century. And VA, once again, will be in the forefront of
this health care advancement,” said Nicholson.
“With the assistance of the distinguished members of this advisory
committee, VA will become a leader for the health care industry in
combining genetic research with the best medical practices, benefiting
not only veterans, but all Americans as well,” Nicholson added.
The Secretary noted that genetic research is a high priority for the
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as well as the
National Institutes of Health. The goal is to understand the role of
genetics in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, such as
prescribing medications more effectively, while preventing adverse drug
reactions.
"Genomic medicine can help VA to customize health care and meet the
special needs of each veteran we serve," said Dr. Michael J. Kussman,
VA's Acting Under Secretary for Health. "It has tremendous potential to
advance medical science as it also enhances the quality of care.”
The 12-member committee is chaired by Dr. Wayne W. Grody of the
University of California, Los Angeles. The committee is expected to meet
up to three times annually and to advise VA on a wide range of issues,
including the scope of research and assuring that VA meticulously
protects veterans’ privacy and maintains the highest ethical standards.
Members VA’s Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee
· Dr. Wayne Grody, Chairman. Professor of pathology, laboratory medicine
and pediatrics, University of California at Los Angeles.
· Dr. Wylie Burke. Professor and chair of the Department of Medical
History and Ethics, University of Washington, Seattle.
· Christine Q. Burtt. President of CQB & Associates, Denver.
· Dr. Francis Collins. Director of the Human Genome Research Institute,
Bethesda, Md.
· Dr. Geoffrey S. Ginsburg. Professor of medicine and pathology, Duke
University, Durham, N.C.
· David W. Gorman. Executive director of Disabled American Veterans,
Washington, D.C.
· Dr. Muin J. Khoury. Director of the National Office of Public Health
Genomics in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.
· Dr. Margaret McGovern. Professor of human genetics at Mount Sinai
School of Medicine, New York.
· Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin. Former VA under secretary for health and
current chief medical officer and senior vice president with HCA,
Nashville, Tenn.
· Col. Brion C. Smith. Director of DNA registry and DoD DNA
identification laboratory, Department of Defense, Washington, D.C.
· Annette K. Taylor. Director, founder and owner of Kimball Genetics,
Denver.
· Michael S. Watson. Executive director of the American College of
Medical Genetics, Washington University, St. Louis.
---------------
Larry Scott
