The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) announced the formation of a new branch-the Social and Behavioral Research Branch (SBRB) -- within its Division of Intramural Research (DIR). The new branch will develop cutting-edge approaches to translating the discoveries from the recently completed Human Genome Project into interventions for health promotion and disease prevention, and for counseling patients and families dealing with the impact of devastating genetic disorders. The SBRB also will investigate the complex social, ethical and public policy impact of genomic research.
Eric D Green, MD, PhD, NHGRI's scientific director and director of the Division of Intramural Research, said the launch of this new branch is part of the natural evolution of the division.
"We have long recognized the importance of social and behavioral research as it pertains to advances in genetics and genomics," said Dr Green. "Now that we are about to embark on translating the information from the Human Genome Project into research on better ways to prevent and manage human illnesses, the time is appropriate for this important area to have its own dedicated branch."
To head the new DIR branch, NHGRI recruited a prominent behavioral epidemiologist from Duke University, Colleen McBride, PhD As director of the Cancer Prevention, Detection and Control Research Program at Duke, Dr McBride's work focused on developing and evaluating population-based interventions directed at smoking cessation and identifying "teachable moments" for changing behaviors that put people at increased risk for developing disease. Dr McBride joined the Duke program in 1995 and began serving as the director in 1997.
Dr McBride, who received her doctorate in behavioral epidemiology from the University of Minnesota in 1990, also has interests in health behavior change interventions in community and health care settings and in using risk communications to motivate behavioral change. She said she is excited about the challenges and opportunities presented by advances in human genomic discoveries. Starting this new research branch within NHGRI, she said, has involved extensive planning and discussion with experts from around the country.
"This is an exciting time for social and behavioral researchers who in the coming years will be responsible for translating discoveries from genome research into medical care and public health interventions," said Dr McBride. "The research landscape is wide open and research programs like SBRB will have unprecedented opportunities to do truly innovative research. I and my colleagues around the country give kudos to NHGRI for its forward thinking in acknowledging the centrality of social and behavioral science."
According to Dr McBride, the SBRB's research portfolio will encompass four conceptual domains:
Testing communications strategies aimed at relaying an individual's risk for developing a genetic condition.
Developing and evaluating interventions aimed at reducing genetically susceptible individuals' risk of acquiring a disease.
Translating genomic discoveries to clinical practice.
Understanding the social, ethical and policy implications of genomic research.
There will be a number of research groups within the SBRB. They include a behavioral genetics unit; a health communications unit; a genetic counseling service unit; a health promotion research section that includes a unit for disseminating counseling research methods; a community genetics research unit; and an ethics and social policy unit that includes research ethics. In addition, there will be several cross cutting themes addressed by researchers in the new branch, including the implications of genomic discoveries and research for health disparities, the ethical and legal implications, and strategies for information dissemination to medical and other communities.