Public health genetics

Based on the presentations given at the First International Symposium on Public Health Genetics in Bielefeld, Germany, in February 2004, this special issue of ‘Community Genetics’ discusses future chances, challenges and approaches to integrate genome-based research into public health policy and practice. Pivotal articles provide a critical input and report on public health activities in Europe, the USA and Canada. The content is structured according to the so-called ‘public health trias’, which defines the core functions of public health, i. e. assessment, policy development and assurance. Thus ‘Assessment’ discloses likely benefits and potential risks of the integration of genomics into public health interventions. ‘Policy Development’ describes the framework for effective, efficient and socially acceptable policies, while ‘Assurance’ discusses the successful implementation of agreed-upon policies in public health genetics into practice. This volume is of special interest to scientists in the fields of genetics and public health as well as to social scientists, bioethicists and policy-makers in public health.