Microsoft to Convert People to a Healthy Lifestyle with Genomic Testing Results

Whether or not the results of genomic testing will scare people into a much healthier lifestyle is precisely the focus of a new research alliance featuring the Scripps Translational Science Institute, Navigenics, Affymetrix and Microsoft. Personal genetic tests are designed to deliver a perspective on the potential risk associated with certain diseases which can be developed by the subjects who participate in DNA screenings. Microsoft and its partners are looking to evaluate the impact of the results of genomic testing on the lifestyle of the study participants.

“Personalized medicine stands to change the way people approach their health and wellness, as well as open up new genetic research opportunities,” revealed Peter Neupert, corporate vice president of the Health Solutions Group at Microsoft. “This collaboration is a significant step forward in empowering people to proactively address their specific individual health needs, as well as give clinical researchers access to a broader pool of genetic data to develop new disease treatments.”

STSI (as the main sponsor of the study) with Microsoft, Navigenics and Affymetrix (only co-sponsoring the project) are attempting to find a connection between genomic screening and the catalysts necessary for participants to quit smoking, eat healthy and start exercising. The beneficiaries are no less than 10,000 employees together with their family members of the San Diego nonprofit Scripps Health system. According to Microsoft, assessments on the participants' behavior will be performed for no less than 20 years.

“Genome scans give people considerable information about their DNA and risk of disease, yet questions have been raised if these tests are ready for widespread public use,” added Eric J. Topol, M.D., director of STSI and principal investigator of the study. “Our study will prospectively evaluate the effect that state-of-the-art gene scans have on people’s lifestyles, behaviors, diets and psyches.”