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Genética, biologia molecular e ética: as relações trabalho e saúde* Genetics, molecular biology and ethics: work and health connections

Gilka Jorge Figaro Gattás 1 Marco Segre 1 Victor Wünsch Filho 2

* Este trabalho foi conduzido dentro do escopo de suporte financeiro da USP/Fapesp/FMUSP. 1 Departamento de Medicina Legal, Ética Médica e Medicina Social e do Trabalho. Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo. Rua Teodoro Sampaio, 115, 05405-000 São Paulo SP. [e-mail] 2 Departamento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo. [e-mail]

Abstract This paper provides a discussion about the increasing development of genetics and molecular biomarkers technologies and consequent impact on practices of occupational health. Genetic analysis could be in specific populations at occupational, pharmacological or environmental exposures. Current knowledge of human genome open up the possibility of individual genetic screening of disease susceptibility among those exposed in workplaces to chemical or physical hazards, or for late onset hereditary disease. Epidemiological studies including genetic and molecular biology approaches have been designed to evaluate the interaction of genetically determined metabolic variants with different environmental exposures on the risk of diseases. The strategy for worker’s health promotion must be maintained on the surveillance of hazardous exposure risks in occupational settings and not in worker’s genetic screening. Ethical behavior in occupational health can vary from country to country and even between occupational health practitioners and researchers. To discuss the need for a social responsibility context in the use of genetic information in which ethical actions in occupational health could be conducted is the main purpose of this paper. Key words Molecular genetics, Workers health, Ethics, Genetic screening, Genetic epidemiology

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