Guidelines for association studies in Human Molecular Genetics

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Abstract
The number of genetic association studies is growing rapidly, and this growth is likely to accelerate in the future. The correct interpretation of such studies has important implications for our understanding of disease causation, variability in drug response and drug side effects and the biology of populations. There is increasing awareness that the literature of association studies requires the application of stricter standards, to prevent the promulgation of false positive results. Although there is no single agreed upon set of standards for such studies, we believe that journals must, through the manuscripts that they choose to publish, promote an improvement in the quality of association studies. Guidelines can be an instrument for both authors and reviewers, to make such improvements. The subsequent guidelines should be followed for all future submissions to Human Molecular Genetics. The references provide background which may be useful for authors.