Duke University officials praised an Institute of Medicine (IOM)
report released Friday that offers recommendations for preserving research
integrity in the translation of genomics and other "omics" research
into clinical medicine.
The IOM, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences,
pursued the report at the request of both the National Cancer Institute and
Duke to guide universities and other research facilities in overseeing
increasingly complicated medical studies involving "omics," which
typically involve large data sets and
complex algorithms.
The IOM summarized its findings in a press
release and posted the full report online here.
In a statement Friday, Duke Medicine's leadership called the
IOM report an "important contribution to the field of genomics and
translational research," saying "the recommendations contained in the
report provide a clear path forward that will guide researchers as they bring
genomic research through the translational system to benefit patients."
Here is full Duke statement signed by Dr. Victor J. Dzau,
chancellor for health affairs, Dr. Nancy Andrews, dean of the School of
Medicine and Dr. Rob Califf, vice chancellor for clinical and translational
research.
"We at Duke Medicine
greatly appreciate the thoughtful and thorough work done by the IOM committee
in creating this report. It represents an important contribution to the
field of genomics and translational research and the recommendations contained
in the report provide a clear path forward that will guide researchers as they
bring genomic research through the translational system to benefit patients.
The impressive depth of the report will provide great value to the spectrum of
participants in the research and development system, including regulatory
agencies, basic and clinical research communities, and, ultimately, patients.
"We welcome the opportunity to incorporate
the recommendations from this report with our ongoing efforts to strengthen the
rigor of our research enterprise. We have learned from our situation, and with
the dedicated efforts of our faculty and administration we have begun to
implement solutions under our Translational Medicine Quality Framework. This
report will provide additional valuable approaches.
"'Omics' research is
a critically important area of scientific investigation that holds great
promise for improving patient care, and today's report is perhaps the most
important contribution to date in providing analysis and guidance to ensure its
rigor and reproducibility.
"Thanks to the
committee members, and to the IOM, for undertaking this project."