On Sun, 24 Sep 1995 10:00:27 UNDEFINED,
Peter H. Proctor <pproctor at sam.neosoft.com > wrote:
> Since you brought up the credentials questions: How about an MD
>and a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology, plus board-certification by both
>the major PhD and MD Toxicology boards. Try to get someone more qualified.
>>Peter H. Proctor, PhD, MD
>Diplomate:
>American Board of Toxicology ( as PhD )
>American Board of Medical Toxicology ( as MD )
>
Peter:
Toxicology can be a tricky business (in humans). There is still
much that is missing in the basic science concerning the body's
response to threats such as toxins, so even an education in the
subject doesn't always mean we have the answers.
There appears to be substantial variation in the body's response due
to genetics, and even state dependent changes. I've spent some time
looking into the debrisoquine hydroxylase (Cytochrome P450 IID6)
polymporphism, discovered by Prof. Jeffery Idle of the U. of
Newcastle, U.K. This polymorphism is weakly correlated with
susceptibility to lung and breast cancer, and the speculation has been
that the enzyme produces toxic metabolites.
However, I think a better explanation is that this gene exerts its
effects through the CNS (dopamine), and is part of a whole pool of
genes which amongst other things affect the regulation of the immune
system and tissue repair. Hopefully this will all get sorted out in
the not too distant future with the development of the QTL
(quantitative trait locus) method of genetic investigation.
Whether knowing an individual's genetic susceptibility profile will
allow us to better manage exposure risk is an open question. I would
suspect that it may turn out to be impractical in many cases, so that
total elimination of the toxin may be the only solution.
AJR
