Ethical, legal, and social issues of toxicogenetic research with working populations

The 21st century has introduced an explosion of new methods to identify and study the expression of genes that have the potential to answer many important questions regarding exposures in the workplace and the susceptibility of workers to develop diseases associated with those exposures. While the number of research studies incorporating genetic markers has increased, there has been little work examining the potential impact of these discoveries on work populations and employment policy. Strategies are needed to help the public and minority communities in particular, understand the science behind toxicogenomic research and participate in decisions about how the findings of this research be used to improve the health of communities. As part of a larger effort to explore the ethical, social, and legal implications of toxicognenomic research, this paper examines the case of PON1. Drawing on interviews with scientists and community advocates and focus groups with farm workers, we analyze the understanding of the scientific and Latino communities toward the issue of individual and groups susceptibility to disease from exposure to pesticides. We also examine current practices and procedures for individual and community consent. The emerging themes that we explore in this research will help in the development of policy recommendations that will both facilitate future workplace toxicogenomic research and ensure the protection of vulnerable communities. Strategies to address these concerns will center on issues of environmental justice for those who are disproportionately affected by pesticide exposure and for whom genetic susceptibility increases this risk.