Identification of actionable genetic variants in 4,198 Scottish volunteers from the Viking Genes research cohort and implementation of return of results

The benefits of returning clinically actionable genetic results to participants in research cohorts are accruing, yet such a genome-first approach is challenging. Here, we describe the return of such results in two founder populations from Scotland. Between 2005 and 2015, we recruited >4,000 adults with grandparents from Orkney and Shetland into the Viking Genes research cohort. Return of genetic data was not offered at baseline, but in 2023 we sent invitations for consent to return of actionable genetic findings to participants. We generated exome sequence data from 4,198 participants, and used the ACMG v3.2 list of 81 genes, ClinVar review and pathogenicity status, plus manual curation, to develop a pipeline to identify potentially actionable variants. We identified 104 individuals (2.5%) carrying 108 actionable genotypes at 39 variants in 23 genes, and validated these. Working with the NHS clinical genetics service, which provided genetic counselling and clinical verification of the research results, and after expert clinical review, we notified 64 consenting participants (or their next of kin) of their actionable genotypes. Ten actionable variants across seven genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, ATP7B, TTN, KCNH2, MUTYH, GAA) have risen 50 to >3,000-fold in frequency through genetic drift in ancestral island localities. Viking Genes is one of the first UK research cohorts to return actionable findings, providing an ethical and logistical exemplar of return of results. The genetic structure in the Northern Isles of Scotland, with multiple founder effects, provides a unique opportunity for a tailored approach to primary and secondary prevention through genetic screening.