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MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY: POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Citation:
Preston, R J. MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY: POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. MUTATION RESEARCH 543(2):121-124, (2002).
Description:
Introduction
The term "molecular epidemiology" has been used to cover a broad range of scientific activities, often without specific reference to epidemiology. In fact, as noted by Foxman and Riley [1],molecular epidemiology has often been described almost exclusively in terms of biomarkers, with little or no reference to epidemiology. Further, as defined by Foxman and Riley, molecular epidemiology is distinguished from other similar disciplines by the association of both "molecular", the use of techniques of molecular biology to characterize genotype and phenotype, and "epidemiology", the study of determinants of disease occurrence and its distribution in human populations. The molecular component can be utilized to enhance the assessment of disease-related responses that can be used as predictors of subsequent disease development. The criteria for selection of bioindicators of disease for use in epidemiological studies are critical for the interpretation of data in terms of implications for public health. This particular topic will be addressed in more detail later in this article.