Genetics of Nicotine Addiction-Examining Ethics & Policy

描述（由申请人提供）：正在进行研究，以检查导致吸烟开始、尼古丁依赖和无法戒烟的遗传因素。其他研究使用DNA阵列技术来绘制尼古丁引起的大脑变化。通过更好地了解尼古丁成瘾的生物学机制，这一正在开展的遗传学研究有望推动药物遗传学的发展，创造新的遗传学测试，并最终为戒烟和预防干预的创新策略提供基础。将基因研究成果转化为公共卫生或治疗方案需要解决一系列复杂的伦理、法律的、社会和政策问题。吸烟的"基因化"可能会给吸烟者带来更多的耻辱，或将成瘾的责任从香烟（和烟草业）转移到个人的基因构成上。关键问题将伴随着测试：谁应该被认为有风险？种族群体会成为目标吗？获得服务将受到何种影响？我们应该使用精神药物来防止吸烟吗？拟议的研究将联合收割机的经验调查与伦理和政策分析相结合，采用一系列的方法：科学文献和烟草行业文件的系统审查，与利益相关者的访谈，在科学会议上进行人种学研究，以及多学科的国家咨询委员会。该项目的实证目标是：1）评估有关吸烟行为遗传基础和尼古丁成瘾易感性的科学知识状况，2）基于这些知识预测和描述临床和预防性健康应用，3）检查烟草控制关键利益相关者对吸烟的遗传理解的出现。根据我们的经验工作，并与该项目的顾问委员会协商，伦理和政策目标是：4）描述和评估遗传学解释对现有吸烟控制政策的可预见影响，如公共卫生策略和治疗计划，以及5）识别和分析关键的伦理，法律的，以及吸烟行为的遗传学理解的社会后果。该项目的目标是使决策者清楚地了解遗传研究的潜在影响和局限性，确保遗传学将和谐地纳入减少烟草使用的措施，并通过提供对尼古丁成瘾的全面分析，为关于成瘾遗传学的公共政策辩论做出贡献-这是行为遗传学研究固有的伦理复杂性的一个例证。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Studies are underway to examine the genetic factors contributing to smoking initiation, nicotine dependence, and inability to quit. Other studies use DNA array technologies to map nicotine-induced alterations in the brain. By providing a better understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in nicotine addiction, this unfolding body of genetic research is expected to fuel developments in pharmacogenetics, to create new genetic tests, and ultimately, to provide the basis for innovative strategies for smoking cessation and preventive interventions. Translating the results of genetic research into public health or treatment programs will require the resolution of a host of complex ethical, legal, social, and policy issues. The "geneticization" of smoking may cast additional stigma on smokers, or shift responsibility for addiction away from the cigarette (and the tobacco industry) and onto individuals' genetic make-up. Crucial issues will accompany testing: Who should be considered at risk? Will racial groups be targeted? How will access to services be affected? Should we use psychotropic drugs to prevent smoking? The proposed research will combine empirical investigation with ethical and policy analysis, employing a range of methods: systematic review of the scientific literature and of tobacco industry documents, interviews with stakeholders, ethnographic research at scientific meetings, and a multi-disciplinary, national Advisory Board. The project's empirical aims are to: 1) assess the state of scientific knowledge about the genetic basis of smoking behaviors and susceptibility to nicotine addiction, 2) anticipate and characterize clinical and preventive health applications based on this knowledge, and 3) examine the emergence of a genetic understanding of smoking among key stakeholders in tobacco control. Informed by our empirical work, and in consultation with the project's Advisory Board, the ethical and policy aims are to: 4) delineate and evaluate the foreseeable impact of genetic explanations on existing smoking control policies, such as public health strategies and treatment programs, and, 5) identify and analyze key ethical, legal, and social consequences of a genetic understanding of smoking behaviors. The goal of the project is to provide policy makers with a clear understanding of the potential impacts and limitations of genetic research, ensure that genetics will integrate harmoniously in measures to reduce tobacco use, and contribute to the public policy debate about the genetics of addiction, by providing a comprehensive analysis of nicotine addiction - an illustration of the ethical complexities inherent in behavioral genetics research.