Discovering 275 million new genetic variants. 4 million newly discovered variants in the genetic code are located in regions that may be linked to disease risk.
The study aims to collect DNA and other vital data on one million people in order to better understand genetic influences on health and disease. About 90% of genomic studies to date have been conducted in people of European descent, leading to limited understanding of disease development and slow development of effective drugs and prevention strategies in diverse populations, the heads of several NIH departments wrote.