About Us

This Web site provides information about human genomic discoveries and how they can be used to improve health and prevent disease. It also provides links to CDC-wide activities in public health genomics across the lifespan.

This document, published in January 2005, summarizes CDC's accomplishments, priorities, and future directions in human genomics.

A 45-minute introductory presentation on genomics and public health intended for public health practitioners who have minimal experience in the area of genomics as it pertains to public health.

An online series of six presentations designed to provide public health professionals a foundation for understanding how genomics advances are relevant to public health.  

The National Library of Medicine's Web site about genetic conditions and the genes responsible for those conditions.

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) created the Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms to help people without scientific backgrounds understand the terms and concepts used in genetic research.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory explains genes, health and disease in a multimedia format.

The leading voice, authority, and advocate for the genetic counseling profession.

The National Human Genome Center at Howard University is a comprehensive resource for genomic research on African Americans.

Developed by the Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine.

This Web site from the Department of Energy (DOE) provides information on the Human Genome Project and additional links to Genomics information in Spanish.  

The Human Genetics Programme aims to support international activities on the development of medical genetics services in countries.

A 2002 report by the World Health Organization.

The PHGU Newsletter contains news about recent research in genetics and its public health implications.

A nonprofit medical research organization established to expand upon the discoveries of the Human Genome Project.

Provides a description of CDC's Family History Initiative.

Provides information for the general public about family history and how it can be used to promote health.

Link to MMWR article, “Awareness of Family Health History as a Risk Factor for Disease— United States, 2004”

This initiative includes an easy-to-use, downloadable, Web-based family history tool, “My Family Health Portrait”.

Provides information on how to collect a family history.

National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG)

Link to MMWR article, “Genetic Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility: Evaluating Direct-to-Consumer Marketing - Atlanta, Denver, Raleigh-Durham, and Seattle, 2003.”

A PowerPoint presentation from Matthew Daynard at the SACGHS meeting in 2003.

Meeting convened by the National Human Genetics Research Institute in March 2004.

An editorial from the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

A global collaboration of individuals and organizations committed to the assessment of the impact of human genome variation on population health.

An online exhibit for the public providing information about the use of genetics in medicine sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH).

A series of questions and answers for patients considering participation in research studies from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

The Human Genome Project was completed in 2003 and this Web site details the research areas covered by the project.

The NCT mission is to coordinate a nationwide research effort for the development of a toxicogenomics knowledge base.

Send your questions about genomics to members of a judiciously selected group of health professionals in genetics and related disciplines; this group is committed to the development of genomics, public health systems and public engagement in the development of science and technology.

Harvard Medical – Partners Healthcare Center for Genetics and Genomics (HPCGG)

Provided by the National Cancer Institute, this Web site illustrates what genes are, explains how mutations occur and how they are identified within genes, and discusses the benefits and limitations of gene testing for cancer and other disorders.

Conducted by the Foundation for Blood Research under a cooperative agreement with CDC's Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention, the ACCE Project proposed and tested a model process for collecting, evaluating, interpreting, and reporting data about DNA (and related) testing for disorders with a genetic component.

The APHL Newborn Screening and Genetics program strengthens the role of public health laboratories in genetic testing and designs strategies to address changes in the newborn screening field.

Newborn screening recommendations for professionals and researchers.

Information and resources on newborn screening and genetics for health professionals, the public health community, consumers and government officials.

A family of laboratories for orphan rare disease diagnostics.

Developed for physicians, healthcare providers, researchers and others to provide information about genetic testing.

A summary of human genetic testing that ranges from the unraveling of the nature of the gene to the social dilemmas posed by genetic testing.

The CDC awarded funding to these three schools of public health, establishing the first “Centers for Genomics and Public Health.”

Michigan Department of Community Health  
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Chronic Disease Genomics Project

Oregon State Genetics Program

Utah Department of Health (UDOH): Chronic Disease Genomics Program

The GDPInfo query tool allows you to define your search of the OGDP Web site with a combination of genes, diseases/conditions, topics and other factors.

Genetics Home Reference is the National Library of Medicine's Web site for consumer information about genetic conditions and the genes or chromosomes responsible for those conditions.

An online publication of expert authored disease reviews from GeneTest.

Provided by the Genetic Alliance, a tool to assist in finding specific and quality information about genetic conditions.

More than 20 genetic disorders are listed by the 21st Century Schoolhouse, with links to Web sites about each disorder.

The Medical Genetics Department of the University of Kansas Medical Center provides links to lay advocacy and support groups along with information on genetic conditions/birth defects for professionals, educators, and individuals.

This Web site contains a broad collage of annotated, comprehensive URLs about bioethics.

A Web site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Fosters public debate about the social, ethical and environmental implications of genetic technologies.

A nonprofit information and public affairs organization that works to encourage responsible uses and effective societal governance of the new human genetic and reproductive technologies.

An international database on the legal, social, and ethical aspects in human genetics.

Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Genetic Testing: 25 Recommendations from the European Commission (2004) [PDF 576 KB]

A compilation of links, journals and other publications that offer research about ethics and human genetics from Georgetown University.

The National Human Genome Research Institute database contains Federal and State laws/statutes; Federal legislative materials; and Federal administrative and executive materials, including regulations, institutional policies, and executive orders.

Includes table of genetic laws and legislation by state and topic.

An initiative of the Council for Responsible Genetics (CRG), released an expansive, searchable online clearinghouse of information on emerging legal developments in human genetics.

A Web site from Public Health Genetics Unit (PHGU) listing around 1000 key policy documents in the U.K., from 1984 to the present day.

A searchable listing of public health genetics policy documents and clinical genetics educational materials provided by the National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center.

Information on genetic technologies and genetic policies for the public, media and policymakers. Funded through a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts.