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From
the
Founding
Director
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| Founding
Director
Georgia
M.
Dunston,
Ph.D |
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As
the only
research
center of
its kind
at a predominantly
African
American
university,
the National
Human Genome
Center (NHGC)
is singular
in its capacity
to provide
leadership
for America
and the
global community
in genetic
studies
of diseases
common in
African
Americans
and other
people of
color throughout
the African
Diaspora.
In concert
with the
mission
of Howard
University,
particular
emphasis
at the NHGC
is placed
on providing
education
opportunities
for exceptional
quality
for African
Americans
and other
historically
disenfranchised
groups.The
NHGC is
also dedicated
to attracting,
sustaining,
and developing
a cadre
of research
scientists,
who through
their investigations,
are committed
to reducing
health disparities
among ethnic
groups,
preventing
disease
and promoting
health.
Establishment
of the NHGC
is historic
and marks
another
first for
Howard University,
African
Americans,
this nation,
and the
world.As
an academic
center,
the NHGC
is unique
in its capacity
to bring
multicultural
perspectives
and resources
to an understanding
of knowledge
gained from
the human
genome project
and research
on human
genome variation.
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fulfillment
of this
goal is
a scientific
imperative,
if the human
genome project
is to now
shift from
the success
of sequencing
the three
billion
nucleotides
in the human
genome to
the significance
of applying
the knowledge
gained towards
eliminating
health disparities
among different
ethnic groups
in the promotion
of health
and prevention
of disease.As
the Human
Genome Project
progresses
from structural
to functional
genomics,
the absolute
importance
of population
variability
in the genetic
diagnosis,
treatment
and management
of complex
diseases
cannot be
marginalized
or ignored.
Among this
nation's
academic
centers,
Howard University
is uniquely
poised and
prepared
by virtue
of its identity,
history,
and purpose,
to provide
leadership
for America
and the
global community
in addressing
the array
of very
challenging
biological,
ethical,
legal, and
social issues
introduced
at this
time by
the emergence
of the Human
Genome Project.
We
believe
that the
greater
genomic
variation
found
in African
populations
provides
a rich
and unique
resource
for human
and medical
genetic
research
in the
United
States
and throughout
the world.
In barely
two years,
core research
units
have been
created
in molecular
genetics,
statistical
genetics
and bioinformatics,
genetic
epidemiology,
and genethics.
Significant
and funded
research
projects
have already
been put
in place
in diabetes,
hypertension
and obesity,
prostate
cancer,
breast
cancer
and asthma.
In addition,
community
programs
are being
designed,
and the
statistical
genetics
and bioinformatics
unit is
launching
three
computer
software
packages
for genetic
analysis
on the
internet
for worldwide
distribution.
The
individual
and collective
strengths
of the
NHGC research
faculty
together
with a
very talented
team of
investigators,
dedicated
support
staff,
and enthusiastic
students
provide
the foundation
and strategic
framework
for human
genome
research
at Howard
University.
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