Shire Partners with The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine

Apr 28, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Across the U.S., there is a significant shortage of medical geneticists. With only one geneticist for every 600,000 individuals, the U.S. has less than half of the genetic workforce it needs. As an issue directly related to our business, we announced a $1.65 million grant to the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine. The ACMG Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to attract and fund training for the next generation of medical geneticists and genetic counselors. The Foundation also sponsors important research, and promotes information about medical genetics.

Our partnership aims to advance and improve expertise in medical genetics in the U.S. Over the next three years, the grant will fund 10 one-to-two year fellowship training awards for medical geneticists in three categories: clinical laboratory fellowships, clinical genetics residencies, and medical biochemical genetics subspecialty fellowships. The partnership between Shire and the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine will help develop a future generation of geneticists around the world who will be crucial in the diagnosis and care of patients with rare diseases.

Read more about Shire's commitment to supporting patients and communities in the 2016 Annual Responsibility Review.