Michael J. Howorth Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Genetic, Environmental, and Microbial (GEM) Project.

NEW! Children of individuals with Crohn’s disease can now be enrolled in addition to Siblings

The GEM Project is a Canada-wide research study that will attempt to determine possible causes for Crohn's Disease by following healthy individuals who are at a higher risk for developing the disease over time. A total of 5000 healthy individuals who have a sibling and/or parent with Crohn's Disease will join the effort to help find a cause.

This is the first study of its kind to try and understand the complex genetic, environmental and microbial interactions within our own bodies.

If you have Crohn's disease, we encourage you to ask your siblings and/or offspring to participate. If you have a full-sibling or parent that suffers from Crohn's Disease and are between the ages of 6 and 35, we invite you to participate.

Funding for the GEM Project has been generously provided by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC).