The general population is exposed to a wide range of environmental agents such as tobacco smoke, dietary carcinogens, synthetic and natural compounds; however not everyone is equally susceptible to potentially negative environmental health effects. This is particularly true in the case of environmental carcinogens, where individual differences in susceptibility can significantly alter risk of developing cancer. The metabolic system that helps to protect against genotoxic damage differs between individuals and can determine cancer risk. Enzymes involved in detoxifying environmental agents are called phase I and phase II enzymes which include P450 cytochromes, glutathione transferases, N-acetyltransferases, and others. These enzymes are polymorphic in a large part of the population due to genetic alterations and thus differ in their enzymatic activity in different individuals. It has been shown that polymorphic variants of these genes can determine bladder, kidney, lung and breast cancer risk (among others) in conjunction with environmental exposures. These data suggest that certain individuals will be at increased risk if they are exposed to specific environmental agents and that a large part of the population can be affected. Thus, gene-environment interactions play a crucial role in risk assessment from environmental exposures and must be considered when setting exposure standards. What are the implications for regulators concerned about public health and what are the ethical considerations relating to such issues as insurance coverage and employment discrimination? If medicine is going towards individualized treatment, shouldn’t public health incorporate individual susceptibility when dealing with health disparities?
Learning Objectives: none available
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.