Advocacy Fact Sheets
Research in human genetics and genomics drives discovery and better health. Explore our fact sheets below to learn more about these advances and their applications.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming human genetics and genomics research, enabling scientists and clinicians to interpret complex biological data faster and at greater scale than ever before. AI has the potential to accelerate discoveries that improve diagnosis, treatment, and public health outcomes. Realizing these benefits will require sustained federal investment in biomedical research, including research on the ethical, legal, and social implications of emerging technologies; support for representative genomic data resources; responsible AI policies and standards that promote reliable use; and strong privacy, governance, and regulatory frameworks that ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of sensitive health data.
Date Posted: July 2026
References:
- Kim J, Wang K, Weng C, Liu C. Assessing the utility of large language models for phenotype-driven gene prioritization in the diagnosis of rare genetic disease. The American Journal of Human Genetics. 2024;111(10):2190-2202. doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.08.010
https://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(24)00296-9 - Liang L, Chen Y, Wang T, et al. Genetic Transformer: An innovative large language model-driven approach for rapid and accurate identification of causative variants in rare genetic diseases. medRxiv. doi:10.1101/2024.07.18.24310666 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.18.24310666v1
- Wu D, et al. GestaltMML: Enhancing rare genetic disease diagnosis through multimodal machine learning combining facial images and clinical texts. PMC11071539.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38711434/ - Vora LK, et al. Artificial intelligence in drug development. Nature Medicine doi:10.1038/s41591-024-03434-4.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12114816/ - AI-enabled patient prioritization: MPSE identifies newborns for whole-genome sequencing within 48 h of NICU admission. npj Genomic Medicine
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41525-025-00506-3 - Jin Q, et al. Matching patients to clinical trials with large language models. Nature Communications 2024 (PMC11574183).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39557832/

*Posted July 2025
References
Active Projects by Institute/Center, Human Genetics and Genomics (2025). Retrieved from NIH: https://reporter.nih.gov/advanced-search
Genetic Alliance. iHope Genetic Health. Retrieved from https://ihopegenetichealth.org/
Green, E. D., Gunter, C., Biesecker, L. G., et al. (2020). Strategic vision for improving human health at The Forefront of Genomics. Nature, 586, 683–692. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2817-4
Kim, J., Hu, C., Moufawad El Achkar, C., et al. (2019). Patient-customized oligonucleotide therapy for a rare genetic disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(17), 1644–1652. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1813279
Kingsmore, S. F., Wright, M., Olsen, L., et al. (2024). Genome-based newborn screening for severe childhood genetic diseases has high positive predictive value and sensitivity in a NICU pilot trial. The American Journal of Human Genetics, 111(10), 1987–1999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.10.020
Manolio, T.A. et al. (2024). Genomic medicine year in review: 2024. American Journal of Human Genetics, 111(12), 2585-2588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.11.002
Musunuru K., Grandinette S.A., Wang X., et al. (2025). Patient-specific in vivo gene editing to treat a rare genetic disease. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(22):2235-2243. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2504747
National Human Genome Research Institute. DNA sequencing costs: Data. Genome.gov. Retrieved from https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/DNA-Sequencing-Costs-Data
Nurk, S., Koren, S., Rhie, A., et al. (2022). The complete sequence of a human genome. Science, 376(6588), 44–53. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abj6987
Satam, H., Joshi, K., Mangrolia, U., et al. (2023). Next-generation sequencing technology: Current trends and advancements. Biology, 12(7), 997 https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12070997
Tripp, S., & Grueber, M. (2021). The economic impact and functional applications of human genetics and genomics. TEConomy Partners, LLC. Commissioned by the American Society of Human Genetics. Retrieved from https://www.ashg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ASHG-TEConomy-Impact-Report-Final.pdf
United for Medical Research. (2025). Annual economic report. https://www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/annual-economic-report/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023, December 8). FDA approves first gene therapies to treat patients with sickle cell disease. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-gene-therapies-treat-patients-sickle-cell-disease
It is estim
References
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2 Austin, C.P., Cutillo, C.M., Lau, L.P.L., Jonker, A.H., Rath, A., Julkowska, D., Thomson, D., Terry, S.F., de Montleau, B., Ardigò, D., et al. (2018). Future of Rare Diseases Research 2017–2027: An IRDiRC Perspective. Clin. Transl. Sci.
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5 https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/cln7-disease#statistics
8 https://nri.texaschildrens.org/news/leo%E2%80%99s-story-our-superhero
Figure 2: Boycott, K.M., Rath, A., Chong, J.X., Hartley, T., Alkuraya, F.S., Baynam, G., Brookes, A.J., Brudno, M., Carracedo, A., den Dunnen, J.T., et al. (2017). International Cooperation to Enable the Diagnosis of All Rare Genetic Diseases. Am. J. Hum. Genet.
I
References
- Lander, E. S. (2016). The Heroes of CRISPR. Cell, 164(1-2), 18-28. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2015.12.041
- https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/04/811461486/in-a-1st-scientists-use-revolutionary-gene-editing-tool-to-edit-inside-a-patient
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- https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/policy-issues/Genome-Editing/How-genome-editing-is-used

References
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- https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/blog/what-is-nipt/
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- https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-med-072115-033220
- https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/blog/what-is-nipt/
- https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/pregnancy/prenatal-genetic-screening-tests
- https://www.genome.gov/dna-day/15-ways/noninvasive-prenatal-genetic-testing
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- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6545823/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4112725/
- https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-med-072115-033220
- https://f1000research.com/articles/8-764/v1
- https://www.nature.com/articles/ejhg201557
Cancer, a
References
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics
- https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2019/cancer-facts-and-figures-2019.pdf
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/ccg/research/structural-genomics/tcga
- https://www.cancertreatmentreviews.com/article/S0305-7372(14)00043-7/fulltext
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics
- https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(20)36058-0/fulltext
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/ccg/cancer-genomics-overview
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies/targeted-therapies-fact-sheet
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies/targeted-therapies-fact-sheet
- https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2018/tisagenlecleucel-fda-lymphoma
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/ccg/cancer-genomics-overview
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1903387
- https://www.cancer.gov/research/areas/genomics
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/ccg/cancer-genomics-overview
- https://www.cancer.gov/research/areas/genomics
Cancer affects more than 18 million Americans and is the leading cause of death for people under age 65. However, recent advances in genetics and genomics are transforming the landscape of cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. Today, up to half of cancers can be prevented or detected earlier using existing tools. Understanding an individual’s inherited risk through genetic testing allows for earlier, more effective intervention. Continued progress in genetic research, made possible through NIH funding, not only improves prevention and early detection but also empowers patients to make informed decisions and helps reduce the immense health and economic burden cancer places on families and communities nationwide.
References
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/coping/cancer-prevalence.html
- Chow RD, Bradley EH, Gross CP. Comparison of cancer-related spending and mortality rates in the US vs 21 high-income countries. JAMA Health Forum. 2022;3(5). doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.1229
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- Van Cott C. Cancer Genetics. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2020;100(3):483-498. doi:10.1016/j.suc.2020.02.012
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- Philipson TJ, Durie T, Cong Z, Fendrick AM. The aggregate value of cancer screenings in the United States: Full potential value and value considering adherence. BMC Health Services Research. 2023;23(1). doi:10.1186/s12913-023-09738-4
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer#:~:text=Between%2030%20and%2050%25%20of,Early%20detection
- Fayer S, Horton C, Dines JN, et al. Closing the gap: Systematic integration of multiplexed functional data resolves variants of uncertain significance in BRCA1, TP53, and PTEN. The American Journal of Human Genetics. 2021;108(12):2248-2258. doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.11.001
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet
DNA
References
- Hayden, E.C. (2014). Technology: The $1000 Genome. Nature
- https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/DNA-Sequencing-Costs-Data
- Manolio, T., Bult, C. , Chisholm R., et al. (2019). Genomic Medicine Year in Review: 2019. The American Journal of Human Genetics 105:6, P1072-1075.
- http://news.unchealthcare.org/news/2017/august/thanks-to-a-unc-research-project-she-can-walk-again
- https://allofus.nih.gov/about/all-us-research-program-overview
- Gavan, S., Thompson, A., Payne, K. (2018). The economic case for precision medicine. Expert review of precision medicine and drug development vol. 3,1 1-9. Ginsburg, G., Phillips, K. (2018). Precision Medicine: From Science To Value. Health Affairs (Project Hope), 37(5), 694–701.
- https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Sequencing-Human-Genome-cost
- https://www.labiotech.eu/features/genome-sequencing-review-projects/
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/infant-health.htm
- https://www.rchsd.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/new-guinness-world-records-title-set-for-fastest-genetic-diagnosis
The int
The human genetics community is contributing to solutions in three foundational ways and, even as headlines report changes in the virus, researchers are tracking those changes relentlessly and working to get a step ahead and stop its tragic impact.
References
- Hayden, E.C. (2014). Technology: The $1000 Genome. Nature
- https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2020/07/16/researchers-publish-encouraging-early-data-on-covid-19-vaccine/
- https://www.goldengooseaward.org/01awardees/immunome
- Zost, S.J., Gilchuk, P., Chen, R.E., Case, J.B., Reidy, J.X., Trivette, A., et al. (2020). Rapid Isolation and profiling of a diverse panel of human monoclonal antibodies targeting the SARS-Cov-2 spike protein. Nature Medicine. 26(9), 1422-1427.
- https://covid19-testing.broadinstitute.org/
- https://www.bcm.edu/news/baylor-genomics-teams-partner-to-provide-covid-19-testing-for-houston-area
- https://www.color.com/covid
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-race-ethnicity.html
- https://www.covid19hg.org/partners/
- https://www.covidhge.com/
- Wadman, M. (2020). Flawed interferon response spurs severe illness. Science. 369(6511), 1550-1551.


References
- Sirugo G., Williams, S.M., Tishkoff S.A. The Missing Diversity in Genetic Studies. Cell (2019).
- Collins, F., Doudna, J.A., Lander, E., and Rotimi, C.N. Human Molecular Genetics and Genomics — Important Advances and Exciting Possibilities. N.Engl.J.Med (2021).
- Ibid.
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2018/genetic-study-reveals-why-asthma-inhalers-fail-minority-children
- Hindorff, L.A., Bonham, V.A., Brody, L.C., et al. Prioritizing diversity in human genomics research. Nat Rev Genet (2018).
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/racial-ethnic-disparities/index.html
- https://www.nih.gov/ending-structural-racism/unite
- https://allofus.nih.gov/about/core-values
- https://h3africa.org/index.php/about/
- https://www.southerncommunitystudy.org/about-the-sccs.html
- https://www.jacksonheartstudy.org/
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/hispanic-community-health-studystudy-latinos-hchssol

References
- Rexach, J., Lee, H., Martinez-Agosto, J. A., Németh, A. H., & Fogel, B. L. (2019). Clinical application of next-generation sequencing to the practice of neurology. The Lancet. Neurology, 18(5), 492–503. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(19)30033-X.
- Vgontzas, A. and Renthal, W. (2019). Introduction to neurogenetics. American Journal of Medicine. 132:142-152. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2018.07.041.
- https://braininitiative.nih.gov/strategic-planning/brain-priority-areas
- Kunkle BW, et al. (2019). Genetic meta-analysis of diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease identifies new risk loci and implicates Aβ, tau, immunity and lipid processing. Nat Genet. 2019 Mar;51(3):414-430. doi: 10.1038/s41588-019-0358-2.
- International Parkinson Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC). Ten Years of the International Parkinson Disease Genomics Consortium: Progress and Next Steps. J Parkinsons Dis. 2020;10(1):19-30. doi: 10.3233/JPD-191854.
- https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/mental-disorders-may-share-molecular-origins
- Zoghbi, H. Y., & Warren, S. T. (2010). Neurogenetics: advancing the “next-generation” of brain research. Neuron, 68(2), 165–173. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.10.015.
- Rexach, J., Lee, H., Martinez-Agosto, J. A., Németh, A. H., & Fogel, B. L. (2019). Clinical application of next-generation sequencing to the practice of neurology. The Lancet. Neurology, 18(5), 492–503. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(19)30033-X.
- https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/10/418921/genetic-testing-leads-awakening-developmentally-delayed-nearly-catatonic-teen
- Jayadev, S., Smith, C. O., & Bird, T. D. (2011). Neurogenetics: Five new things. Neurology. Clinical practice, 1(1), 41–48. doi: 10.1212/CPJ.0b013e31823c0f5f
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-innovative-gene-therapy-treat-pediatric-patients-spinal-muscular-atrophy-rare-disease
Zoghbi, H. Y., & Warren, S. T. (2010). Neurogenetics: advancing the “next-generation” of brain research. Neuron, 68(2), 165–173. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.10.015


References
- Green, E.D., Gunter, C., Biesecker, L.G. et al. Strategic vision for improving human health at The Forefront of Genomics. Nature 586, 683–692 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2817-4
- https://acd.od.nih.gov/working-groups/pmi.html
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/precision-medicine-activities
- https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Current-Research/Research-Funded-NINDS/Translational-Research/urgent-network
- https://commonfund.nih.gov/hmp

References
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/coronary-heart-disease
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/new-multi-gene-test-may-help-find-risk-heart-disease-other-conditions
- https://www.nature.com/articles/nrg.2017.89
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics
- https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/cellular-gene-therapy-products/approved-cellular-and-gene-therapy-products
- https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/fda-guardant-360-foundation-one-cancer-liquid-biopsy
- https://www.aacr.org/blog/2021/04/14/aacr-annual-meeting-2021-facilitating-early-cancer-detection-with-liquid-biopsy/

References
- https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/hivaids
- Ibid.
- https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2019/07/16/enlisting-crispr-in-the-quest-for-an-hiv-cure/
- Ibid.
- https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about.html
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance
- https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/pdf/threats-report/2019-ar-threats-report-508.pdf
- Ibid.
- https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/newsroom/2020/antibioticresistant/

References
- https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7883/spinal-muscular-atrophy-1
- Ibid.
- https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7883/spinal-muscular-atrophy-1
- https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/8614/sickle-cell-anemia
- https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2019/04/02/a-crispr-approach-to-treating-sickle-cell/
- Ibid.

References
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32694666/
- https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-od-14-124.html
- https://allofus.nih.gov/
- https://www.research.va.gov/mvp/
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gap
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3965052/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34493770/
- https://www.ashg.org/publications-news/press-releases/201909-privacy-principles/

References
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aan4672
- https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-04210-5
- https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/cellular-gene-therapy-products/what-gene-therapy
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-gene-therapy-can-cure-or-treat-diseases
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aan4672
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aan4672
- Interview with Greg Newby, 5/29/2023
- Interview with Greg Newby, 5/29/2023
- www.clinicaltrials.gov
- https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/634/leber-congenital-amaurosis
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-novel-gene-therapy-treat-patients-rare-form-inherited-vision-loss

References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
S0896627310003272 - https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/
parkinsons-disease - https://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/
s12974-022-02584-x - https://www.nature.com/articles/s10038-022-01058-5
- https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/7/1006
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969996120300577
- https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(19)30287-X/fulltext
- https://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12974-022-02584-x
- Interview with Rachel Boyd 6/13/2023
- https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(19)30287-X/fulltext
- https://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12974-022-02584-x
- Interview with Rachel Boyd 6/13/2023
- https://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12974-022-02584-x
- Interview with Rachel Boyd 6/13/2023
- https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/7/1006
- https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.12328

