Genetic Alliance is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1986 by Joan O. Weiss, working with Victor A. McKusick, to advocate for health benefits in the accelerating field of genomic research.

They create programs using a collaborative approach, and aim to increase efficiency and reduce obstacles in genetic research, while ensuring that voices from the involved disease communities are heard.

[citation needed] Participating organizations store their data and samples in GARB for on-going use in research, with the goal of developing new diagnostic tools and treatments for diseases.

[3] Genetic Alliance provides the facility, collection, processing and archiving of samples stored in the biobank, as well as training and tools for organizations to effectively participate in this resource.

[2] GARB has an institutional review board (IRB), which approves data collection protocols, material transfer agreements, and documents used in informed consent and minor assents.