Genetic testing using a DNA fragmentation technique. (Photo: National Cancer Institute)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced in a Feb. 5 press release that it has launched a new genetic testing tool that aims to provide researchers with new medical data on how conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes affect veterans hailing from minority backgrounds.
The VA notes that the research, which is authorized under its Million Veteran Program (MVP), should be especially beneficial for Black and Hispanic veterans and could lead to medical breakthroughs.
Acting VA Under Secretary for Health Richard A. Stone, M.D. says, “thanks to MVP, [the] VA is leading the way in health research that will benefit communities that have traditionally been underserved by the health care system and underrepresented in medical research.”
The VA says that currently there are more than 30 studies underway using research from the MVP’s database, one of the largest genetic databases in the world with over 800,000 veteran volunteers. The program hopes to produce actionable medical solutions for physical and mental ailments ranging from heart disease to schizophrenia, and there are even ongoing studies relating to COVID-19.
As recently as Jan. 24, the VA program received praise from the American Heart Association for breakthroughs in heart disease and stroke research.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.
