The History behind a Medical Genetics program focusing on Adults

The AMGP is one of a growing number of programs in the United States which focus on genetic conditions affecting adults.  Historically, clinical genetics has been directed towards a pediatric population and to pregnant couples interested in prenatal diagnosis.  Work from the Human Genome Project has firmly established that many diseases affecting adults have an underlying genetic component to the risk and/or expression of disease.  Increasingly there is consensus that the time is ripe to develop models for delivering clinical genetics care to adult patients.  In addition, as the genetic basis of common adult-onset diseases continues to be clarified, prevention strategies based on genetic "risk-profiling" could also prove useful.

The Adult Medical Genetics Program works closely with the Clinical Genetics Department of The Children's Hospital in Denver. 

Mission       

The mission of the AMGP is:

·  To provide compassionate care to individuals and families affected by genetic conditions.

·  To gain understanding into the genetic etiology of heritable conditions affecting adults through clinical research

·  To educate health care professionals (including physicians, nurses, genetic counselors, and students in training) and the general public about the impact of genetics on health. 

Executive Board of AMGP

The Executive Committee serves to advise the AMGP on fulfilling it's mission.  The Board consists of:  

· Dr. Richard Spritz, MD, Director of the Human Medical Genetics Program (HMGP),

· Pam Fain, PhD, Director of the Genotyping, Linkage Analysis and Mutation Screening Core at the UCD,

·  Leslie Leinwand, PhD, Chairman of the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at CU-Boulder,

·   Brian Kotzin, MD, Co-Head of the Division of Allergy and Immunology,

·   Mark Geraci, MD, Director of the Gene Expression Facility and Medical Director of In-Patient Pulmonary Services at UCD, 

·   Marileila Garcia, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, of the Division of Medical    Oncology.