Recorded presentation

Marc Weinstein, PhD and Marcus Widenor, MA. Labor Education Research Center, University of Oregon, 1289 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR OR, 541-346-3063, marcw@oregon.uoregon.edu

The current project to map the human genome represents a revolutionary opportunity for scientists to understand how individual genetic pre-disposition and environmental and workplace exposure relate to occupational illness and disease. The technological advancements needed to solve the structure of the human genome have established new analytical methods that enable molecular biological databases to grow exponentially. These new methodologies hold tremendous potential for the identification of environmental hazards and for the treatment of environmentally contracted diseases. In contrast to traditional research on occupational and environmental hazards that has relied on laborious, costly, and imperfect longitudinal epidemiological studies, the new methodologies emerging from the human genome project will lead to the identification of ways to reduce or prevent disease by pinpointing biochemical and molecular functions that have been perturbed by environmental chemicals. These advances will also enable environmental toxicologists to refine their risk assessments. With a better understanding of gene/environment interactions, toxicologists will no longer be limited to making population-level risk assessments, but rather will be able to formulate individual-based risk assessments. While this development holds promise for improvements in public health, it also poses the risk of shifting the burden of risk abatement away from the community to the individual. To explore the ethical issues related to the shift from population to individual-based risk assessment, this paper explores the implications of advances in toxicogenomics research on occupational and environmental health through three competing frameworks for genetic research policy: the medical model, the public health model, and the fundamental rights model.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn ethical issues related to advances in environmental and occupational health

Keywords: Genetics, Ethics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation