Five years of the Genomas Brasil Program: advancing genomics and precision health within Brazil’s unified health system

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Abstract

This study aimed to assess the implementation of the Brazilian National Program for Genomics and Precision Public Health (GenBR) over its initial five years, identifying key achievements, challenges, and lessons for integrating genomics into public health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Established by Ministerial Ordinance GM/MS No. 1,949 on August 4, 2020, GenBR aims to lay the foundation for genomics and precision health within Brazil’s Unified Health System. Its primary goals include advancing science and technology countrywide, fostering the development of a national genomics industry, and conducting proof-ofconcept studies to assess the practical application of precision health in public healthcare. By August 2025, over 250 research projects had been funded in 19 of the country’s 27 federative units, across a range of areas, including oncological, rare, cardiovascular, infectious, neurological, and non-communicable diseases, as well as population genomics and precision health. Financial investments had exceeded BRL 1 billion, funding the sequencing of 67,000 samples. Nine large-scale genomics research projects associated with the Program have contributed to generating whole-genome data from 45,910 individuals. Moreover, four public calls have selected 209 research projects led by science and technology institutions located across all regions of Brazil. GenBR offers key lessons for LMICs seeking to implement genomics in public health, particularly in contexts marked by population diversity, infrastructure asymmetries, and fiscal constraints. Findings highlight the importance of sustained political commitment, inclusive governance, and long-term planning for building national genomic capacity and advancing health equity.

About the authors

Giovanny Vinícius Araújo de França

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

Email: giovanny.franca@saude.gov.br
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7530-2017
PhD, Technologist Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Evandro de Oliveira Lupatini

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6231-891X
PhD, Technologist Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Rodrigo Theodoro Rocha

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5624-8644
MSc, Technical Consultant Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Rafaela de Cesare Parmezan Toledo

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0009-0007-3393-6242
PhD, Technical Consultant Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Graziella Santana Feitosa Figueiredo

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4416-0183
PhD, Technical Consultant Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Carlos Eduardo Ibaldo Gonçalves

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0009-0009-6616-7421
PhD, Technical Consultant Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Isis Laynne de Oliveira Machado

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0051-9307
Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Ana Paula Anzolin

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1080-1480
Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Carolina Carvalho Gontijo

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8021-5081
Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Julia Freitas Daltro Vidal

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0009-0003-4742-9808
Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Andréa Leite Ribeiro Parmezan Toledo

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4917-4469
Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Meiruze Sousa Freitas

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0009-0001-5788-5917
Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

Fernanda De Negri

Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3197-5156
Federal District, Brazil, 70655-775

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