Fernander Anita F
University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Science, 103 College of Medicine Office Building, Lexington, KY, USA.
Addiction. 2007 Oct;102 Suppl 2:58-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.01955.x.
Certain racially classified social groups suffer disproportionately from tobacco-caused morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in genetics are leading researchers to examine variables that may account for this. However, it is critical that investigators proceed with caution and utilize transdisciplinary approaches. A number of fundamental questions might be used to stimulate consensus building in this area of science. What is race and how should its complexity be operationalized? Is it possible/likely that pharmacogenetics will allow us to match smokers with cessation strategies based on a gene-psychological profile? What are the most important conceptual and methodological issues for a research agenda in this area?
