PRESS RELEASE
20.09.2004
Gene Forum 2004: Genomics will gradually become part of everyday
medicine
The fifth international two-day conference Gene Forum 2004 brought together the
top scientists of the field of epidemiology, genetics, genomics and biotechnology to
discuss how genomics changes medicine. The speakers of the forum subtitled
“Genomics to Medicine” assured that genomics will gradually become part of the
everyday medicine. In the near future genomics has more and more profound
impact both in therapeutic medicine and healthcare planning.
The fifth international conference on biotechnology organised by the Estonian Genome
Foundation, held from September 17-18, discussed the possibilities of applying genetics
and biotechnology in medicine. More than 350 scientists, physicians, students, health
care officials, investors and business executives, one fifth of them from the other Baltic
States, Scandinavia, Western Europe, North America, Japan and Australia, participated in
the forum.
The forum was opened by Prof. Toivo Maimets, minister of education and research, who
acknowledged the organizers of the fifth high-level international conference for
developing a clear trademark for the forum – a distinguished list of speakers. Minister
expressed his hope that among the audience were scientists and researchers who are able
to participate in unravelling the secrets of the human genome and come up with novel
methods of fighting diseases.
“After five years of work and with the help of about 100 distinguished speakers who have
been presenting in Tartu, a university town since 1632, a word about the high-level
programme has reached the human genetics world,” said the head of the Scientific
Programme Committee of Gene Forum 2004, Prof. Andres Metspalu. “Personal contacts
and one-to-one meetings are very important in the world of science, because it will create
a solid foundation to start a successful cooperation both in EU Research Area and
regarding other international projects,” added Prof. Metspalu.
In the opening session of the conference Prof. Lyle J. Palmer, Director of Busselton
Population Medical Research Foundation Laboratory of Western Australia stressed the
importance of population-based genetics research. According to Prof. Palmer only
countries with total population data and family record linkage, so that all those with and
without disease can be studied in an unbiased way throughout the whole life span, have
the highest chances of success in applying genomic knowledge and tools in clinical and
public health settings. Such linkages and resources already exist in Western Australia,
where both public and private efforts have resulted in a fruitful cooperation allowing to
monitor population for all major diseases/conditions, their risk and protective factors, and
the use and role of health services studied. In addition to new scientific and public health
resources the project offers an opportunity to educate people about the genetics and
diseases.
Associate Director of Epidemiology of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Dr.
Kathleen R. Merikangas sees public dissemination of knowledge regarding risk
estimation and changing of lifestyle as important as discovering disease related genes.
For example people tend to continue smoking or drinking while being aware of the fact
that they are susceptible to specific condition, where smoking or drinking contributes to
the development of the disease. Dr Merikangas suggested that we should prioritize our
research and not spend enormous resources on genetics of smoking. Instead we have to
focus on breast cancer, type I diabetes, sclerosis multiplex and autism, because genetic
research has the highest chance in unravelling the causes of these diseases.
The session organised in cooperation with Estonian Biotechnology Association explored
different models of organising high-tech research and its commercialisation. Prof. Martin
Godbout, President and CEO of Genome Canada gave an overview how Canadian
government has provided resources for developing research and cooperation in the field
of biotechnology. Dr. Hannu Hanhijärvi, Director of SITRA Life Sciences, presented the
Finnish model of providing seed and early stage financing for biotech in Finland. Mr.
Raul Malmstein, Development Advisor to the Government of Estonia described the
Estonian vision of developing a knowledge-based economy. Mr. Malmstein stressed the
importance of balancing interests of different parties and creating trust between
universities, companies and research institutes. On the other hand Mr. Malmstein
considered competition between institutions as well as individual researchers acting as
the main motivator of growth and development. Estonian Government is working on a
state venture capital fund that should bridge the financing cap in the seed and early stages
and attract more aggressive capital to Estonian financial market. However, an impact to
the overall economy in GDP terms is not significant, if the number of projects is around
5-6 in a year.
Several speakers discussed the problems and opportunities arising from the HapMap.
Prof. Maido Remm, Head of department of bioinformatics at the University of Tartu,
gave an overview of marker association in human genome, which should reduce
significantly the cost of studies in the future.
Speakers of the forum also gave talks on genetics of specific diseases, including type 2
diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, psoriasis, anxiety, inflammatory
bowel disease and immune system.
The last speaker of the forum, professor Nicolas Rose of London School of Economics
and Political Science, explored the potential social consequences of the increasing ability
of genetic testing to identify susceptibilities to disease prior to the appearance of
symptoms. Prof. Rose argued that this will create an 'emergent form of life' - that is to
say, a form of life where (1) the distinctions between cure, treatment, prevention and
enhancement can no longer be sustained (2) in which the remit of clinical medicine is
further extended beyond the cure of diseases to the management of risk, and (3) where
individuals, families and collectivities reshape their identities, in whole or in part, in the
light of beliefs about their genetic predispositions and susceptibilities.
The Gene Forum 2004 hosted traditionally a biobusiness seminar organised in
cooperation with Connect Estonia, where speakers from Scandinavia and the United
Kingdom presented their experience of biotech business development and human
resources management. In addition about 10 companies from Estonia and other European
countries presented in the exhibition hall during the forum.
Thanks to the sponsors and supporters 150 young Estonian scientists and about 100
Estonian physicians and researchers were able to attend the forum with reduced
participation fee. The fifth international Gene Forum 2004 was supported by the
European Science Foundation, Estonian Biocentre, Centre of Excellence for Gene and
Environmental Technologies of the University of Tartu, Enterprise Estonia, the Gambling
Tax Council, Tartu City Government, KPMG Estonia and the British Council. Connect
Estonia and Estonian Biotechnology Association participated in the organizing of the
event.
The fifth international Gene Forum 2004 was organised by the Estonian Genome
Foundation, established in 1999. The aim of the foundation is to promote the
development of biotechnology in Estonia. To achieve this goal the foundation supports
research and organises R&D and educational activities (conferences, workshops, printed
materials, etc.). The foundation also grants scholarships.
Further information about the programme and speakers:
http://www.geneforum.ee
For additional information please contact:
Andres Metspalu
Head of the Department of Biotechnology, University of Tartu
Member of the Scientific Programme Committee of Gene Forum 2004; Tel + 372 375
066
Maris Väli
Head of the Organizing Committee of Gene Forum 2004;
Tel +372 420 132; E-post: maris.vali@genomics.ee