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Discovering How Environmental Exposures Alter Genes Could Lead To New Treatments For Chronic Illnesses

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Emerging research demonstrates that diet, pollution, and other environmental triggers can alter both the function and expression of human genes and lead to a heightened disease risk. These environment-gene interactions can cause so-called epigenetic changes in gene expression-patterns of which genes are switched "on" or "off"-that may account for the rising mortality from chronic diseases in industrialized nations. In this paper, we call for a new transdisciplinary approach to public health that would examine how environmental exposures, both physical and social, influence gene expression and a person's susceptibility to chronic disease. This initiative could lead to new ways to prevent and treat such illnesses.

Source: Health Affairs

DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0078

Authors: Kenneth Olden, Nicholas Freudenberg, Jennifer Dowd, Alexandra E. Shields

Institutions: Hunter College, City University of New York, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Cancer Institute