The revolution in genomics ushers in the "golden age" for discovery and innovation in environmental health research. Many uncertainties in human risk assessment can now be addressed and much "guess work" in environmental health decision-making can be eliminated. However, to understand the meaning of the vast amount of genetic information in terms of the etiology of complex diseases will require greater comprehension of gene-environment interaction. The use of DNA micro-array technologies to assess changes in gene expression will largely impact environmental health sciences. This technology will allow a global perspective on how an organism responds to a specific stress, drug, or toxicant. Data generated in these experiments will provide information on cellular networks of responding genes, help define important target molecules for toxicity, as well as provide future biomarkers for environmentally-induced diseases and alternative testing procedures.
Translation of this information into decision-making and the practice of medicine will require considerable restructuring of both systems. Knowledge of susceptibility will potentially change the "contract" between patient and physician from the current emphasis on curative treatment to prevention. Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment will become more individualized as differences in response to environmental or pharmaceutical interventions can be developed with specific genotypes in mind. A major potential pay-off will be the ability of environmental regulatory agencies to develop more rational policies, with the information necessary to devise rules that better protect sensitive individuals.
Input from the public health community is necessary to enhance the impact of the use of these new technologies.
See www.niehs.nih.gov and http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.govLearning Objectives: "At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1) Discuss four NIEHS and NTP priority areas of environmental health research and their impact on risk assessments; 2) Participate further in determining research directions of both the NIEHS and the NTP and in selecting chemicals through public input, comment and/or nomination of chemicals for study and review; 3) Participate on panels, committees, boards, councils that provide oversight and review of these programs, as appropriate and as qualified."
Keywords: Environmental Health, Risk Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Director, National Toxicology Program