The integration of genome-based information for common diseases into health policy and healthcare as a major challenge for Public Health Genomics: the example of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene in non-cancer diseases.

Whereas medicine is currently undergoing remarkable developments from its morphological and phenotype orientation to a molecular and genotype orientation, promoting the importance of prognosis and prediction, the discussion about the role of genome-based information for epidemiological research and public health still is at the beginning. Public Health Genomics (PHG) contributes to this discussion by focussing on the use of genome-based information for epidemiological research, surveillance systems, health policy development, individual health information management and effective health services. The article focuses on the role of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms in non-cancer diseases to demonstrate the urgent need for a responsible and systematic translation of genome-based information into health policy and healthcare.