Genetic Susceptibility and the Setting of Occupational Health Standards

Abstract

As more is learned about genetic susceptibility to occupational and environmental hazards, there will be increasing pressure to use genetic susceptibility information in setting occupational health standards. Historically, this has not been done, but a growing body of research assesses inherited genetic factors as modifiers of the effects of hazardous exposures. Additionally, acquired genetic and epigenetic characteristics could also be used in standard setting. However, for both inherited and acquired genetic characteristics, many scientific, ethical, legal, and social issues could arise. Investigators need to examine the potential role and implications of using genetic information in standard setting. In this review, we focus primarily on inherited genetic factors and their role in occupational health standard setting.

Contact dermatitis in the construction industry: the role of filaggrin loss-of-function mutations

“…The question can be raised as to how the strong relationship between FLG loss‐of‐function mutations and CD can be used to improve occupational health care in the construction industry. Several authors have mentioned both the advantages and the great ethical challenges of genetic screening in occupational health care . Workers who are more susceptible to occupational exposures than others could be protected by providing them with personalized education, prevention and (medical) supervision.…”

“…Several authors have mentioned both the advantages and the great ethical challenges of genetic screening in occupational health care. 48,51 Workers who are more susceptible to occupational exposures than others could be protected by providing them with personalized education, prevention and (medical) supervision. This targeted, personalized care could help reduce the burden of CD in the construction industry.…”

Research to Practice Implications of High-Risk Genotypes for Beryllium Sensitization and Disease

“…With research into CBD prevalences associated with high-risk genotypes, employers might be ethically obligated to ensure that workers have the option of confidential genetic testing for many alleles. 36 We do not think that these data are sufficient to address standard setting in relation to genotype, 38 although some small percentage of workers with high-risk genotypes may not be able to safely tolerate any beryllium exposure, despite proposed lowering of the permissible exposure limit. 35 …”

EASL Clinical Practice Guideline: Occupational liver diseases

“…74 Consequently, knowledge of genetic variability has not yet proven useful for discriminating high-risk populations. 75 Indeed, according to the code of ethics issued by the International Commission on Occupational Health the selection of high-risk populations upon genetic testing should be considered unethical. Instead, improving working environments is recommended.…”