Thread by @cristenw

Science has a history of treating Black Americans and other minority ancestry groups badly. We, as genetics scientists, are working hard to make it right & ensure research also benefits ancestry minorities. a thread #BlackLivesMatter #blackinstem #IndigenousLivesMatter

To do that, we are asking and inviting minority ancestry groups to join genetics research studies (that also include majority ancestry groups fyi). We are dedicated to (and good at) protecting confidentiality and ensuring anonymity. 2/6

But we can't study diseases present in minority ancestry groups if we don't recruit research participants who have these diseases. And we also need to study people without these diseases for comparison. 3/6

We also can't do a good job of predicting and preventing disease in minority ancestry groups if we haven't recruited these individuals for research. 4/6

Help us prevent disease in all people (and not just majority ancestry groups). Join research studies. Donate your DNA to help others (which will especially help others from your own ancestry) 5/6

If you are a University of Michigan @umichmedicine patient, contact us to donate a blood sample to help others, and help us prevent disease. umcvc.org/cardiovascular… #CHIPstudyUM /end

I should add that we are also improving representation of diverse ancestries in the trainees and research team who work on these studies. The recruitment team develops clinical research experience, typically before going to med school. Important that all have access.