Next Generation Scotland launch is going strong
Thousands of new volunteers have joined Generation Scotland in its new round of recruitment.
On 25th January, Generation Scotland launched a new wave of online recruitment to join the study, which aims to help the future health and well-being of Scotland. 800 new volunteers signed up on launch day alone and more than 2,800 have joined overall. Generation Scotland are aiming to recruit 20,000 new volunteers to join the 24,000 who joined the study during its first wave of recruitment between 2006 and 2010. For the first time, those aged 12-15 years can also volunteer (with permission from an already-volunteering parent or guardian).
Click here to join Generation Scotland as a volunteer
The launch of Next Generation Scotland was covered by national media, including an online BBC article (link below), radio inserts and TV appearances by PI Professor Cathie Sudlow, Co-I Professor Riccardo Marioni and founding Co-I and Generation Scotland volunteer Professor Blair Smith.
Generation Scotland is the largest family health study in Scotland, with over 24,000 volunteers already contributing their genetic information, as well as details of their health and lifestyle. Volunteers are asked to answer questionnaires, provide a saliva sample for genetic analysis, and give permission to share their medical records. Taken together, this will generate a “bio-resource” of data that can be used for future studies to help investigate the causes of disease and inform future treatments.
Professor Riccardo Marioni, one of the study’s Co-I’s, described some of his group’s research plans for the new data: “We hope to develop a broad panel of predictors for multiple diseases, such that a single saliva sample can be used to provide an individual, or their GP with a one-stop health MOT that helps us delay or prevent ill-health in the future. For this work, the more people we are able to include in our analyses, the more accurate our predictions will be.”
The study aims to be accessible for as wide a proportion of the Scottish population as possible. It is the first study of its kind to invite younger people (age 12 and over) to contribute. In addition, as the questionnaires are carried out online, and saliva sampling is completed by post, people living anywhere throughout Scotland can contribute, including those in remote or rural areas who may otherwise be restricted by their ability to attend in person.
Emeritus Professor David Porteous, who led Generation Scotland until his retirement last year, said "Combining genomic data with routine NHS records and health related administrative data is the best possible recipe for early detection and preventative health. That is what Generation Scotland is all about. With the NHS under massive strain and with a huge backlog waiting for an appointment, we urgently need to establish this evidence base. We are actively seeking new volunteers from age 12 and up. The earlier in life we start the search for predictive biomarkers the better." David added that as a volunteer for Generation Scotland he will be keeping a close eye on progress towards these important goals and encourages his colleagues, families and friends to also sign up.
Links
BBC article on Generation Scotland recruitment (external)
The Herald article on Generation Scotland recruitment (external)