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What is the Multiple Autoimmune Disease Genetics Consortium (MADGC)?
MADGC is a group of leading genetic researchers who have joined efforts to identify and understand the genes that autoimmune diseases have in common. This research may ultimately give doctors valuable knowledge about the basic genetic causes of autoimmune disease and allow them to better diagnose and treat patients.
What are autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune diseases encompass a broad range of diseases in which a person's immune system attacks his or her own healthy tissue. They are not directly inherited from one generation to the next. A combination of genes, environmental factors (such as exposure to cigarette smoke or certain viruses), chance and time determine who is most likely, or susceptible, to develop an autoimmune disease.
Who is eligible to participate?
If at least two members of your family have different confirmed autoimmune diseases from the list displayed on the right, your family may be eligible to participate in the MADGC2 research study. This is genetic research and participation is voluntary.
2005 MADGC Newsletter |
Do Any of These Autoimmune Diseases Run in Your Family?
Rheumatoid
Arthritis 
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