Videos about the 1+Million Genomes Initiative released for citizens and healthcare professionals
The European Genomic Data Infrastructure (GDI) project has released three videos about the 1+Million Genomes (1+MG) Initiative, particularly targeted at citizens and healthcare professionals. The videos feature interviews with the GDI Coordinator and project partners and experts from Finland, Sweden, Italy and Ireland.
The videos include information about the 1+MG Initiative and its benefits, and summarise key information that citizens and healthcare professionals need to know. The potential of genomics to revolutionise healthcare is highlighted, achieved through more targeted personalised medicines, therapies and interventions that enable better diagnostics and prevention.
The first video aims to explain the 1+MG Initiative to stakeholders in general. The following two videos target more specific audiences - healthcare professionals and citizens.
The video for healthcare professionals explains the critical role of the 1+MG Initiative in the development of personalised healthcare in Europe and the importance of collaboration. Dr Tuula Helander, the 1+MG Group Chair, says, “Without the knowledge of genome data, it is impossible to reach the goal of personalised medicine. That’s why we need a huge amount of data and tight collaboration with other countries.”
In the video for citizen engagement, the interviewees draw on examples from their home countries to explain the importance of collaboration in creating a common solution across Europe. Serena Scollen, project coordinator of the GDI project, says, “Genomics can revolutionise healthcare in the long run. To do so we need to get a scale of data to impact better research and healthcare, and by working together countries can analyse data at a much larger scale.” Bengt Persson, GDI infrastructure deployment co-lead, adds, "If you have a rare disease, which has only a few instances across Europe, then you need to have a sufficient number of patients in order to detect patterns."
This series of videos will be used by the 1+MG National Mirror Groups to share information about the Initiative, with subtitles added in local languages.
Posted: 10 March 2025