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A roadmap to increase diversity in genomic studies

Nature Medicine volume 28, pages 243–250 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Two decades ago, the sequence of the first human genome was published. Since then, advances in genome technologies have resulted in whole-genome sequencing and microarray-based genotyping of millions of human genomes. However, genetic and genomic studies are predominantly based on populations of European ancestry. As a result, the potential benefits of genomic research—including better understanding of disease etiology, early detection and diagnosis, rational drug design and improved clinical care—may elude the many underrepresented populations. Here, we describe factors that have contributed to the imbalance in representation of different populations and, leveraging our experiences in setting up genomic studies in diverse global populations, we propose a roadmap to enhancing inclusion and ensuring equal health benefits of genomics advances. Our Perspective highlights the importance of sincere, concerted global efforts toward genomic equity to ensure the benefits of genomic medicine are accessible to all.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Disparities in the representation of continents in genomic studies will grow wider in the next few years without immediate measures to increase diversity.
Fig. 3

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The African Computational Genomics (TACG) Research Group, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM, Entebbe, Uganda

    Segun Fatumo

  2. The Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

    Segun Fatumo

  3. Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Tinashe Chikowore & Ananyo Choudhury

  4. MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Tinashe Chikowore

  5. Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK

    Muhammad Ayub & Karoline Kuchenbaecker

  6. Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Alicia R. Martin

  7. Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Alicia R. Martin

  8. UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, UK

    Karoline Kuchenbaecker

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  1. Segun Fatumo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Segun Fatumo.

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Competing interests

A.R.M. has consulted for 23andMe and Illumina, and has received speaker fees from Genentech, Pfizer, and Illumina. All other authors declare no competing interests.

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Nature Medicine thanks Ambroise Wonkam and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work. Karen O’Leary was the primary editor on this article and managed its editorial process and peer review in collaboration with the rest of the editorial team.

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Fatumo, S., Chikowore, T., Choudhury, A. et al. A roadmap to increase diversity in genomic studies. Nat Med 28, 243–250 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01672-4

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