INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATORY APPROACHES FOR HERITABLE GENETIC RISK ASSESSMENT AND RISK COMMUNICATION

With the evolution of genetic toxicology as a scientific discipline an d the formation of the Environmental Mutagen Society (EMS), much thoug ht was given to the study of chemicals in the human environment for th eir mutagenic effects. The Society's goal was to promote scientific in vestigation and dissemination of information related to genetic toxico logy. Subsequently, the concern for chemically induced genetic damage in human germ cells and its potential impact on genetic diseases was d etailed in the Committee 17 Report (1975). With new information on the involvement of genetic alterations in disease and on the ramification s of possible effects of exposures to environmental mutagens, it is be coming increasingly necessary to again focus our attention on the asse ssment of heritable genetic effects. Clearly, strategies for communica tion of genetic hazard/risk assessments to exposed individuals and to those charged with regulating environmental agents need to be develope d.