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A Million Veterans Gave DNA to Aid Health Research. Scientists Worry the Data Will Be Wasted
UNITED STATES, JUL 15 – Stalled contracts, hiring freezes, and canceled agreements have led to staff departures and jeopardized research using DNA from over one million veterans, according to VA estimates.
- In May 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs faced disruption as new leaders instituted a hiring freeze affecting the Million Veteran Program and other research.
- The freeze and infrastructure cuts followed budget pressures and unsigned agreements for critical computing resources needed for analyzing the vast genetic data.
- The VA runs one of the world's largest genetic databases from more than a million veterans, which has powered hundreds of research papers and helped study diseases like anxiety and peripheral artery disease.
- Researchers and officials expressed concern over the program’s uncertain future, with Amy Justice noting “incremental damage” from delays and Aaron Carroll calling the drop in federal participation deeply concerning.
- This turmoil threatens to impede vital veteran-specific health research, risking loss of expertise and delays in discovering treatments for conditions linked to military service.
30 Articles
30 Articles
A million veterans gave DNA to aid health research. Scientists worry the data will be wasted.
By � Darius Tahir �for KFF Health News One of the world’s biggest genetic databases comprises DNA data donated over the years by more than a million retired military service members. It’s part ...
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A Million Veterans Gave DNA to Aid Health Research. Scientists Worry the Data Will Be Wasted
One of the world’s biggest genetic databases comprises DNA data donated over the years by more than a million retired military service members. It’s part of a project run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Hastings Tribune
A million veterans gave DNA to aid health research. Scientists worry the data will be wasted
One of the world’s biggest genetic databases comprises DNA data donated over the years by more than a million retired military service members. It’s part of a project run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Times of San Diego
StocktoniaResearchers fear 'crown jewel' genetic project run by the VA is in jeopardy
One of the world’s biggest genetic databases comprises DNA data donated over the years by more than a million retired military service members. It’s part of a project run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The initiative, dubbed the Million Veteran Program, is a “crown jewel of the country,” said David Shulkin, a physician who served as VA secretary during the first Trump administration. Data from the project has contributed to research on t…
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