Heritable hazards of smoking: Applying the “clean sheet” framework to further science and policy
- DOI
- Language of the publication
- English
- Date
- 2020-10-16
- Type
- Article
- Author(s)
- Bline, Abigail P.
- Dearfield, Kerry L.
- DeMarini, David M.
- Marchetti, Francesco
- Yauk, Carole L.
- Escher, Jill
- Publisher
- Wiley
Abstract
All the cells in our bodies are derived from the germ cells of our parents, just as our own germ cells become the bodies of our children. The integrity of the genetic information inherited from these germ cells is of paramount importance in establishing the health of each generation and perpetuating our species into the future. There is a large and growing body of evidence strongly suggesting the existence of substances that may threaten this integrity by acting as human germ cell mutagens. However, there generally are no absolute regulatory requirements to test agents for germ cell effects. In addition, the current regulatory testing paradigms do not evaluate the impacts of epigenetically mediated intergenerational effects, and there is no regulatory framework to apply new and emerging tests in regulatory decision making. At the 50th annual meeting of the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society held in Washington, DC, in September 2019, a workshop took place that examined the heritable effects of hazardous exposures to germ cells, using tobacco smoke as the example hazard. This synopsis provides a summary of areas of concern regarding heritable hazards from tobacco smoke exposures identified at the workshop and the value of the Clean Sheet framework in organizing information to address knowledge and testing gaps.
Plain language summary
Health Canada protects Canadians by identifying risks associated with environmental hazards, including tobacco products. While the health effects of tobacco smoke are well-documented and characterized, the consequences of parental smoking prior to conception on the health of their children are not as widely known. There is increasing evidence suggesting tobacco smoke exposure produces heritable effects on germ cells (the sperm and the egg) with negative health implications for the offspring. Health Canada scientists participated in a workshop held in Washington, DC, in September 2019 that assembled researchers from North America and Europe to present evidence regarding the toxicity of tobacco smoke and related substances to germ cells, as well as the health effects identified in progeny born of those cells. Both genetic (occurring through changes in the sequence of the DNA) and epigenetic (occurring without changes in the sequence of the DNA) effects where evaluated. The workshop concluded that there is strong evidence that tobacco smoke induces both genetic and epigenetic effects that can affect the health of the offspring of smokers. However, additional studies are needed to provide more information on the molecular mechanisms involved and at what doses these effects manifest themselves. Effective communication to the public of the health risk for the offspring of parents who smoke was also identified as a key area for reducing the incidence of smoking among people who are considering having a child. The report from this workshop will advance the knowledge that insults to the genomic integrity of germ cells introduce a significant risk to the welfare and health of people who inherit these genomic changes and contribute to educate the public of the adverse consequences of smoking prior to conception.
Subject
- Health,
- Health and safety