Public health genomics: origins and basic concepts

Abstract

Knowledge and technologies arising from the Human Genome Project promise in time to offer new
opportunities for the treatment and prevention of disease. The enterprise of public health genomics aims to
bridge the gap between advances in basic research and their responsible and effective implementation in
clinical services and public health programmes. Public health genomics stresses the importance of
understanding how genes and environment act together to influence health; avoiding genetic
exceptionalism; appreciating the social and political context of genomic advances; and encouraging critical
evaluation of proposed new tests and interventions. New international networks and collaborations are
being established to develop public health genomics and further its aims.