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- Title
Genetics and public health--evolution, or revolution?
- Authors
Halliday, Jane L; Collins, Veronica R; Aitken, Mary Anne; Richards, Martin P M; Olsson, Craig A
- Abstract
During the 19th and early 20th century, public health and genetics shared common ground through similar approaches to health promotion in the population. By the mid-20th century there was a division between public health and genetics, with eugenicists estranged and clinical genetics focused on single gene disorders, usually only relevant to small numbers of people. Now through a common interest in the aetiology of complex diseases such as heart disease and cancer, there is a need for people working in public health and genetics to collaborate. This is not a comfortable convergence for many, particularly those in public health. Nine main concerns are reviewed: fear of eugenics; genetic reductionism; predictive power of genes; non-modifiable risk factors; rights of individuals compared with populations; resource allocation; commercial imperative; discrimination; and understanding and education. This paper aims to contribute to the thinking and discussion about an evolutionary, multidisciplinary approach to understanding, preventing, and treating complex diseases.
- Publication
Journal of epidemiology and community health, 2004, Vol 58, Issue 11, p894
- ISSN
0143-005X
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1136/jech.2003.018515