Self-reported apparently healthy Malaysian adults aged 18 years old and above, of both genders and all ethnicities are welcome to join the MyGenom Project as study subjects. Exclusion criteria include clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, malignancies, chronic inflammatory disorders, chronic infections, genetic diseases, apparent facial dysmorphisms due to genetic diseases, history of drug or alcohol abuse in the last 3 years, pregnancy and inability or unwillingness to provide consent.

Family members of the same generation (i.e. siblings) cannot join together as study subjects of the project. Family members of different generations (i.e. parents, children, aunties or uncles) can join together as study subjects.

Participation can be made through scheduled appointments or walk-ins at one of the designated recruitment sites. Information can also be obtained via MOH community programmes or other promotional announcements.

Currently, our recruitment centres are the following:

1. Pusat Pendermaan Darah, Hospital Pulau Pinang
2. Pusat Pendermaan Darah, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun
3. Pusat Pendermaan Darah, Hospital Sultanah Aminah
4. Pusat Darah Negara
5. Pusat Pendermaan Darah, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya
6. Pusat Pendermaan Darah, Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab 2
7. Pusat Pendermaan Darah, Hospital Melaka
8. Unit Tabung Darah, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan

With recruitment at Sabah and Sarawak to be determined shortly.

1. Hospital Queen Elizabeth II
2. Hospital Umum Sarawak

No, participation is not mandatory, but voluntary. Tokens of appreciation will be provided for participants.

Yes, participants may withdraw at any time. If consent is withdrawn, any unused sample that has not been processed in future research will be destroyed. Any sample where the participant’s personal identifying information has been removed and sent to other investigators is considered as completely used and cannot be destroyed when the participant withdraws their consent. Any information resulting from the use of their sample in future research will continue to be used in that research.

The participant can withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason. However, the benefits of the study will be decreased if people withdraw from it, so it is encouraged to inform the participant to discuss any concerns with any of the research team member in advance prior to confirming decision to withdraw from the study.

To discuss withdrawing from the study, the participant may call the following number 03-33627744 as stated in the Participant Information Sheet.