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Translational research for rare genetic diseases often suffers from a lack of funding. Advocacy groups that support individuals who are affected by such conditions are well placed to motivate and coordinate research that is aimed squarely at generating translational advances.
To ensure that the benefits of genomics reach all patients, primary health-care providers must be fully aware of current genomic and genetic issues and technologies. This article looks at what needs to be done to achieve this.
The first conference on genetics was held by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1906. A close examination of how this event was organized and how genetic research was done at that time reveals many surprisingly familiar themes.