The National Institutes of Health are requesting comments on their proposed policy for sharing data obtained in NIH-supported genome-wide association studies, which help identify common genetic factors that influence health and disease. The proposed policy establishes procedures for placing genetic and phenotypic data in publicly accessible databases, for protecting individual privacy, and for centrally tracking relevant applications and awards. The proposal largely builds upon and extends existing policies for sharing data, research tools, and other resources among grantees, and follows up on a May 15 announcement outlining the agency's plans for public consultation relating to these studies. On the question of intellectual property, the agency expresses its hope that gene associations identified through NIH-supported data will remain available to all researchers, "unencumbered by intellectual property claims." Comments are due Oct. 31. For more information, please visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfi_files/NOT-OD-06-094_rfi_add.htm