Description

During the past three decades, our understanding of genetics has advanced remarkably as new methods for identifying, manipulating, and analyzing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) have developed. Less well understood, however, is the interaction between the environment and heredity, and the roles each plays in sickness and health. It has long been recognized that genetic risks are associated with certain workplace environments, such as exposure to radiation or certain chemicals. Recognition of genetic factors in disease presents new opportunities for detection, prevention, and treatment. This concept has provoked debate in recent years about whether genetic monitoring and screening of workers to identify outwardly healthy individuals (or populations) at risk for or susceptible to a variety of work-related conditions is appropriate or even feasible.

Genetic monitoring and screening have the potential to significantly change the workplace by detecting both occupational and nonoccupational diseases. They can identify genetic abnormalities which may be associated with inherited diseases, susceptibilities, and traits in otherwise healthy, asymptomatic individuals. The ability to diagnose latent conditions (both occupationally and nonoccupationally related) through genetic monitoring and screening raises policy questions about the proper use of such technologies.