Scientists are about to begin a project to discover the genetic makeup of Ireland's population.
Over the next few months, a team from Trinity College is hoping to collect anonymous DNA samples from 10,000 people across the country.
The information that comes back will be archived and could become a valuable tool to scientists carrying out research on Irish people.
Scientists will be able to compare genes from the normal population with genes from people with certain genetic diseases.
This will allow them to identify the culprit genes, and will potentially lead to better diagnoses and treatment of the diseases that affect Irish people.
Those behind the venture say they want to assure the public that any samples will be collected on the basis of complete anonymity.
