Clinic establishes research program to predict and prevent addictions.

2004 MAY 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The Mayo Clinic has established a research program in the genomics of addiction, with the long-term goal of predicting and preventing alcoholism and other chemical dependencies.

The first step in the research will be to identify human genes that contribute to someone's vulnerability to alcoholism. The next step will be to develop ways to use the genetic information to protect someone from becoming addicted. Ultimately, people who are at increased risk of becoming addicted could receive personalized therapy that could change their lives.

The total investment needed over 5 years to support this research is nearly $20 …