More than 60 people from Scotland’s Northern Isles have been given personalised health insights into risk factors from their genetic make-up to support their future care.

The long-running Viking Genes project, led by University of Edinburgh researchers, identified 108 genetic differences in 23 genes, which can be linked to conditions like cancer and heart disease.

They found that 10 of these disease-causing DNA differences were much more common in either Orkney or Shetland than the rest of the UK.

A total of 64 consenting participants have now been told their results, giving them the opportunity to undertake personalised treatment for their condition.

It is believed to be one of the UK’s first extensive efforts to return ‘actionable’ genetic results to study participants, allowing them to access early NHS treatment to prevent or reduce impacts on their future health.

The project team says many study participants have already benefited from the early warnings.

John Arthur from Whalsey was informed he had a variant in the BRCA2 gene, and underwent further tests which revealed he had prostate cancer.

After a successful operation in February to remove his prostate, he is now back at work on his fishing boat.

He told the researchers that, without the study, he ‘probably would never have gone to the doctor about it until it was too late for anything to be done’.

Professor Jim Flett Wilson, Chair of Human Genetics at the University of Edinburgh says the findings demonstrate the power of targeted genetic screening to help improve of the health of people from isolated communities:

"These ground-breaking new results from the Viking Genes project underscore the critical role of genetic research in foreseeing and forestalling disease.

“By tailoring our approach to fit specific genetic backgrounds, we can offer more precise, predictive, and preventative healthcare, thereby protecting communities, preserving health and saving lives.

“The results of this study provide a foundation for creating bespoke genetic screening programs for the Scottish Islanders and other unique genetic populations.”

Since 2005, Viking Genes has recruited over 10,000 volunteers from the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland – regions known for their unique gene pools due to historical isolation and limited migration.

Researchers have previously identified clusters of rare breast and ovarian cancers in Shetland and Orkney involving the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

In this latest study, researchers analysed the genetic data of 4,198 participants and found small but important differences in around 2.5% of people.

NHS Grampian clinical genetics services then verified the results before the 64 consenting participants were notified.

 

Read more: Cancer charity warns of billion-pound research gap; Making cervical cancer a ‘rare disease’; Biomarkers can improve melanoma patient care; Major investment in Scotland’s cancer research; Protecting public health through pathogen genomics

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