The Hereditary Disease Foundation (HDF) aims to cure genetic disorders by supporting basic biomedical research.[1]
In 1968, after experiencing Huntington's disease (HD) in his wife's family, Dr. Milton Wexler was inspired to start the Hereditary Disease Foundation, with the aim of curing genetic illnesses by coordinating and supporting research.[1] At a workshop held by the HDF in 1979, participants proposed to map the human genome and find a marker for the gene which causes HD. The HDF, together with NINDS and Dr. Wexler's daughter, Nancy Wexler, organized the US–Venezuela Huntington's Disease Collaborative Research Project. This project studied a kindred with an unusually high prevalence of HD. In 1983 a marker for gene was found, and in the next decade, with further HDF involvement the exact gene (Huntingtin) was found. A lot of techniques developed in finding the Huntingtin gene were used to advance the Human Genome Project. [2][3] The Huntingtin gene was also one of the first disease genes to be found, its discovery and debates raised have provided the framework for genetic testing, counselling and possible therapies for other genetic diseases that can be genetically tested.
As of 2009, Nancy Wexler is the foundation's president.[1]