Framing nutrigenomics for individual and public health: Public representations of an emerging field
Document Type
Book Chapter
Edition
1
ISBN
9780123741257
Editor
David Castle, Nola Ries
Publication (Name of Journal)
Nutrition and Genomics: Issues of Ethics, Law, Regulation and Communication
Department
Office of the Provost
DOI
10.1016/B978-0-12-374125-7.00012-6
Publisher
Academic Press
City
Amsterdam
Abstract
The fields of preventive medicine and public health were altered with the completion of the Human Genome Project. Preventive medicine and public health, which traditionally focused on modifying risk factors, interventions and screening, can now tackle genetic issues previously viewed as intransigent, immutable, and innate. The intersection of genetics, public health, and preventive medicine brought about an emerging paradigm of disease prevention—the identification and modification of environmental risk factors among persons susceptible to disease due to genotype. This chapter examines how the various stakeholders in the field represent the new science in the public sphere. Claims made in scientific literature by research groups, private companies, and popular press are examined. Critics claim that nutrigenomic information results in meaningful changes in dietary behavior. The concerns that nutrigenomics is being represented in an overly optimistic light without sufficient regard to limitations are also addressed in the chapter.
Recommended Citation
Caulfield, T.,
Shelley, J.,
Bubela, T. M.,
Minaker, L.
(2009). Framing nutrigenomics for individual and public health: Public representations of an emerging field. Nutrition and Genomics: Issues of Ethics, Law, Regulation and Communication, 223-244.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/book_chapters/605
Comments
This work was published before Tania joined Aga Khan University.