GUILFORD GENOME PROJECT MONEY MOVES FORWARD COBLE SAYS

The Guilford Genomic Medicine Initiative moved one step closer last night to receiving more than $4 million, U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) announced today. Congressman Coble said the Department of Defense (DOD) budget – which was passed by the House last night – contained $4.5 million for the joint research project being conducted by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the Moses Cone Health System, and Duke University on behalf the U.S. Army. This will be the third year that Rep. Coble has obtained funding for the project.

“Moses Cone, UNCG and Duke have joined forces to develop the first comprehensive model for integrating genomic knowledge and technology into the practice of medicine,” Rep. Coble noted. “Everyone agrees that the incorporation of genomic information into everyday medical practice is the future of medicine, but many are still unaware of how this will occur. Working through the research with the U.S. Army, these outstanding North Carolina institutions are at the forefront of expanding our genomic knowledge.”

The fiscal year 2006 DOD budget contains $4.5 million for the ongoing project. Rep. Coble had obtained $3.4 million in the 2004 budget and $3.4 million in the 2005 budget. Coble said the 2006 funds will be used to conduct more clinical studies that focus on cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders that will become common problems for the current military active duty force and their spouses during the next two decades as they leave the current military but turn older and remain in the DOD health care system.

“The DOD medical system has 115 hospitals, almost 500 clinics, and about nine million patients that it serves on an annual basis,” Rep. Coble added. “The Army is interested in translating basic genomic science into practical policy for use by medical professionals, and the need for health-care providers to be more educated about genomic predispositions to diseases. I am proud to assist Moses Cone, UNCG and Duke in fostering the kind of research that will aid not only our military personnel, but ultimately, our civilian population, as well.”

The House passed the 2006 DOD budget by a vote of 398-19. The Senate is expected to take up the spending measure following the 4th of July district work period.