Environment, genes, and cancer

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1996 · Environmental Health Perspectives

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3432881· OSTI ID:530530

Manuel, J

In January, comedian George Burns turned 100 years old. In recent appearances in the media, he still seems sharp as a tack, and is still seen smoking his trademark cigars. Others of us, however, were never very funny, and would die of cancer at age 60 if we continuously smoked cigars or cigarettes. Burns presents a common but perplexing paradox; some people are able to tolerate at least moderate exposure to toxins such as cigarette smoke with little adverse affect, while others develop cancer, emphysema, or heart disease. New studies support the idea that there is an interaction between genes and the environment, and that this interaction may be an important determinant of cancer risk. To understand such risks, it is essential to look at both an individual`s genetic makeup and environmental exposures. Such studies require the collaboration of molecular epidemiologists and molecular biologists. At the NIEHS, Jack A. Taylor, a lead clinical investigator in the Epidemiology Branch, and Douglas A. Bell, an investigator with the Genetic Risk Group of the Laboratory of Biochemical Risk Analysis, have worked together and with other scientists to uncover new information in this area.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 530530
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 104, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1996
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
GENES
GENE MUTATIONS
DNA-CLONING
NEOPLASMS
RISK ASSESSMENT
GENETICS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
TOXIC MATERIALS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ENZYMES
ENZYME ACTIVITY
HEREDITARY DISEASES
HUMAN POPULATIONS
GENOTYPE
PHENOTYPE
ENVIRONMENT
HEALTH HAZARDS
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION