The 黑料爆料 is leveraging its position as Florida鈥檚 leader in genetic counseling and precision medicine to help launch a statewide program that will give families the option to have their newborn鈥檚 entire genetic code sequenced at birth.
USF President Rhea Law & Rep. Adam Anderson
The five-year newborn screening pilot program, created by the and championed by Rep. Adam Anderson, aims to identify potentially serious, but treatable conditions early, allowing doctors to begin care before symptoms appear.
The act also established the Sunshine Genetics Consortium, a network of top clinical and academic leaders from Florida鈥檚 universities and children鈥檚 hospitals, to administer the pilot program and advance cutting-edge research in genomic medicine. USF鈥檚 partnership with the consortium was celebrated at the USF Health Downtown facility today, where state and university leaders highlighted the initiative鈥檚 future impact for Florida families.
鈥淯SF's trailblazing genomic research, amplified by the Sunshine Genetics Act, will revolutionize health care and give Florida鈥檚 children a brighter, healthier tomorrow,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淭heir vital work in early detection and innovative care is transforming lives, and I鈥檓 excited to see the program's growth as USF continues to lead the charge for healthier futures.鈥�
Dr. Charles Lockwood, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine
In the U.S., an estimated 10,000 rare diseases affect 30 million Americans, with 80% of these conditions being genetic. For many, genetic testing is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis. Early intervention can improve health, reduce hospital visits and enhance quality of life.
As part of the Sunshine Genetics Consortium, USF will leverage its expertise in genomics to advance the early detection of rare diseases in newborns. At l, USF Health researchers and clinicians will offer genetic screening and genome sequencing at no cost to families, made possible through state funding that supports the program.
Tampa General is an ideal clinical setting for the pilot program, delivering more than 7,000 babies each year and managing the state鈥檚 highest-risk cases. Its Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, led by faculty, was recently ranked
Joining USF as partners in the consortium are Nicklaus Children鈥檚 Hospital, Florida International University, Florida State University, the University of Miami and the University of Florida. Together, the network aims to expand collaborative pediatric rare disease research across the state and accelerate the growth of Florida鈥檚 genomic medicine industry.
鈥淭he Sunshine Genetics Act that Rep. Anderson championed offers opportunities to decode the mysteries of rare genetic disorders, bringing hope 鈥� rather than despair 鈥� to thousands of families in Florida and beyond,鈥� USF President Rhea Law said. 鈥淭he University of South Florida is dedicated to improving lives and creating a healthier future for all, and we look forward to contributing to this critically important initiative.鈥�
This initiative builds upon USF鈥檚 long history as the state鈥檚 leader in genetic counseling and genomic medicine. USF Health established the in 1977 to provide comprehensive evaluation and care for children and adolescents with genetic conditions, and the is home to Florida鈥檚 only accredited . Its graduates represent approximately 20% of all practicing genetic counselors in the state.
USF researchers are also leading one of the few NIH-funded studies evaluating genetic counseling outcomes, while scientists at the Morsani College of Medicine 鈥� Florida鈥檚 top-ranked and only Tier 1 medical school for research according to U.S. News & World Report 鈥� are pioneering discoveries in the fields of gene therapy, genetic mapping and cardio genetics.
鈥淭hanks to the Sunshine Genetics Act, Florida will be at the forefront of research and development of new tools to save babies鈥� lives and improve their health,鈥� said Dr. Charles J. Lockwood, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. 鈥淯SF Health is honored to participate in the Sunshine Genetics Consortium, and we look forward to lending our considerable resources 鈥� from genetic counseling and education programs to our extensive research infrastructure 鈥� to collaborative efforts that will advance the science in an arena so important to the future of Florida.鈥�