The “generalization” to results from replicated samples to data from other samples that are likely, a priori, to display genetic overlap also adds to confidence in the results that are obtained. While it is not possible to supply precise estimates for this enhanced confidence, the generalization reported here does add to the overall confidence in the sets of genes listed. Identifying the same gene in multiple studies also enhances confidence that the gene contains relatively common allelic variants that alter its function sufficiently to produce association signals in several GWA datasets.
