Nutrition and Genomics: Issues of Ethics, Law, Regulation and Communication

Nutrigenomics is the rapidly developing field of science that studies nutrient-gene interaction. This field has broad implications for understanding the interaction of human genomics and nutrition, but can also have very specific implications for individual dietary recommendations in light of personal genetics. Predicted applications for nutrigenomics include genomics-based dietary guidelines and personalized nutrition based on individual genetic tests. These developments have sweeping ethical, legal and regulatory implications for individuals, corporations and governments.

This book brings together experts in ethics, law, regulatory analysis, and communication studies to identify and address relevant issues in the emerging field of nutritional genomics. Contributing authors are experts in the social aspects of biotechnology innovation, with expertise in nutrigenomics.

From addressing the concern that nutrigenomics will transform food into medicine and undermine pleasures associated with eating to the latest in the science of nutrigenomics, this book provides a world-wide perspective on the potential impact of nutrigenomics on our association with food.

*Explores the rapidly developing, yet not fully understood, impact of nutrigenomics on the relationship to food medicalization, genetic privacy, nutrition and health.
*Provides ground for further exploration to identify issues and provide analysis to aid in policy and regulation development
*Provides ethical and legal insights into this unfolding science, as well as serving as a model for thinking about issues arising in other fields of science and technology

Editor’s Introduction
Chapter 1-Nutrigenomics: Current Research Trends
Chapter 2-Translating Nutrigenomics Research into Practice: The Example of Soy Protein
Chapter 3-Application of Nutrigenomics: An Industry Perspective
Chapter 4-Regulation of Genetic Tests: An International Comparison
Chapter 5-Risk-Based Regulation of Direct-to-Consumer Nutrigenetic Tests
Chapter 6-The Impact of Genomics on Innovation in Foods and Drugs: Can Canadian Law Step Up to the Challenge?
Chapter 7-Placing healthy eating in the everyday context: towards an action approach of gene-based personalized nutrition advice
Chapter 8-Health Care Provider Capacity in Nutrition and Genetics-A Canadian Case Study
Chapter 9-Advancing Knowledge Translation in Nutritional Genomics by Addressing Knowledge, Skills and Confidence Gaps of Registered Dietitians
Chapter 10-Understanding Hopes and Concerns about Nutrigenomics: Canadian public opinion research involving health care professionals and the public
Chapter 11-Pitching products, pitching ethics: Selling nutrigenetic tests as lifestyle or medicine
Chapter 12-Framing Nutrigenomics for Individual and Public Health: Public Representations of an Emerging Field
Chapter 13-The Personal and the Public in Nutrigenomics
Chapter 14-Food Styles and the Future of Nutrigenomics
Editor’s Conclusion