BMJ  2005;330 (7 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7499.0-d

Mendelian randomisation empowers epidemiology

Mendelian randomisation—use of genetic variations as proxies for modifiable environmental risk factors in observational studies—is a powerful new strategy in epidemiological research. On page 1076, Davey Smith and Ebrahim explain what mendelian randomisation is and how it can be used better to understand, for example, health related behaviours. Although the authors acknowledge the limitations of the new method, they think that it could hold the key to better targeting of future public health prevention programmes.

Credit: MENDEL'S NOTES/MORAVIAN MUSEUM

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Relevant Article

What can mendelian randomisation tell us about modifiable behavioural and environmental exposures?

George Davey Smith and Shah Ebrahim
BMJ 2005 330: 1076-1079. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]