USE OF BIOLOGICAL MARKERS IN OCCUPATIONAL-HEALTH RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

The promise of biological markers in occupational health research and practice has been described in the scientific literature. The current generation of biological markers has the potential to allow for the ea rlier detection of disease, for the reduction of misclassification of exposure and outcome, for heightened understanding of mechanisms and e tiologic pathways, and for the designation of groups at risk. What is necessary now is a strategy for realizing this potential. The elements of such as a strategy may include the following: (1) a program to val idate biomarkers, (2) increased utilization of valid biomarkers in eti ologic and prevention research, and (3) developmental programs to enco urage interdisciplinary collaboration and train molecular epidemiologi sts. A framework for linking biomarkers and epidemiologic study design s has evolved during the part 5 yr. For this progress to continue, it is important that discussion about biomarkers reflect a specificity wi th regard to both the type of marker and the use for which it is inten ded.