THE HUMAN GENOME PROJECT AND HEALTH BEHAVIOR AND HEALTH-EDUCATION RESEARCH

The Human Genome Project (HGP) is a multinational initiative to map an d sequence the human genome. This major biological research effort, es timated to take 15 years and cost $3 billion, should have significant implications for public health generally, and for health behavior and health education research in particular. It is anticipated that the HG P research will lead to expanded (1) newborn genetic disease screening , (2) prenatal diagnoses and (3) trait carrier screening. The HGP also is likely to lead to presymptomatic screening of people with late ons et genetic diseases, as well as screening for genetic-based susceptibi lity for common disease morbidity and mortality mediated by either or both life style and environmental factors. These potential development s have raised ethical, legal and social questions, and have highlighte d the fact that research is needed on individual, organizational, popu lation and governmental use of and response to these developments. Cen tral to the expanding role of genetics in public health will be health behavior and education research. Such research could contribute to an effective and humane applied human genetics.