Los Angeles, CA (January 8, 2002) — Since June 2000, when the first draft of the human genome was completed, scientists have made significant discoveries in the understanding of gene expression and how it relates to the human body. As research continues, we begin to understand the depth of how internal and external factors including disease and drug therapy affect human genes- thus enhancing or diminishing overall health. As a result, scientists in the emerging genomeceutical industry are using their knowledge from the human genome project to find nutrients, dietary supplements, and conventional drugs capable of altering gene expression.

At next month’s Nutritionals Symposium and Exposition, February 5-7, 2002, at the Anaheim Convention Center, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) will sponsor a symposium on the subject of applying genomeceuticals for disease and wellness therapies and will explain their research findings from the genetic knowledge gained in the human genome project. “In the future, personalized therapy correcting disease and illness will be determined by a person’s DNA readout. The readout may reveal variations in the DNA code that alter genes controlling drug response, nutrient absorption, cell communication, or other vital functions,” explains Cathy Fomous, Ph.D., chair of the genomeceuticals symposium and vice president, Research Evaluation at CRN. At the symposium, industry experts will offer an introduction to genomeceuticals, an explanation of their research, and the role various nutrients have performed in autism, diabetes, aging, and cancer. These experts include:

• Mark Brudnak, Ph.D., vice president of Technology, MAK Wood, Inc.
• Richard Weindruck, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center
• Carolyn Berdanier, professor of Nutrition and Cell Biology, University of Georgia
• John Milner, Ph.D., Chief, Nutrition Science Research Group, and National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD