Kaiser Seeks Gene Data From Members

U.S. insurer Kaiser Permanente said Wednesday it is launching a research program to probe the genetic/environmental factors that cause disease.

The goal of the Kaiser Permanente Research Program on Genes, Environment and Health (RPGEH) is to identify which genes and environmental factors like air, water, as well as people’s lifestyles and habits are linked to common diseases like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease, the company said.

Kaiser said it would start its investigation with a survey of about 2 million of its members in Northern California to collect information on their lifestyle and habits, and their family’s medical history, and will later seek biological samples in the form of blood or saliva, from these same members, which the insurer said will be used to obtain genetic information.

Kaiser said it would first obtain members’ informed, written consent before collecting the data.

Researchers on the project hope to show how environmental/genetic factors impact the risk of contracting a particular disease and its severity or outcome, and also these factors play into people’s response to specific medications.

Understanding the critical interaction between genes and the environment on health will have an important impact on the way all of us look at health and disease in the future, said co-investigator Cathy Schaefer, director of the RPGEH and a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Calif. For instance, our research could help us identify not only what diseases a person may be at risk for, but also identify how to reduce that risk, or how best to treat the disease. This research program provides an exciting opportunity to make significant progress toward improvements in health and medical care.