We previously reported that a coding single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the human GFI1 (rs34631763, denominated as GFI1-36N) predisposes carriers to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and influenced their prognosis (3, 4). The gene discussed is GFI1; the disease is myelodysplastic syndrome.