What Is a Polygenic Score? — From How It Works to Its Applications and Challenges in Medicine and Society〜

What Is a Polygenic Score?

We are pleased to present “What Is a Polygenic Score? — From How It Works to Its Applications and Challenges in Medicine and Society”, an introductory video for the general public explaining the relationship between disease and DNA. This video explains, in an accessible way, the basic concept and calculation of polygenic scores (Polygenic Score: PGS), which quantify the risk of developing certain diseases in the future based on differences in DNA sequences. It also covers how to interpret PGS data, the relationship between genetic risk and lifestyle factors, and current issues and future perspectives, including ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI).

This video was produced in 2025 as part of the JST-RISTEX RInCA research and development project “Establishing a legal framework model to address the ELSI lag in the fair use of genomic information,” under the group “Foresight and analysis of emerging ELSI related to the use of genetic information brought about by advances in genome research.” The video has been deposited with TogoTV for public release.