The interaction between genes and the environment can significantly impact human health. Genetic factors can increase susceptibility to environmental toxins like pollution and heavy metals, potentially leading to health issues. Environmental exposures can also alter gene expression and epigenetics, affecting disease risk. While genes are inherited and contribute to traits and disease susceptibility, development of disease depends on both genetic and environmental factors working together. External influences like diet, lifestyle, toxins and stress can modulate how genes function and either increase or decrease the likelihood that a genetic predisposition results in disease.

1. GENE ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION
&
Its IMPACT UPON HUMAN HEALTH

2. INTRODUCTION
● The interaction between genes and the environment
is a complex and dynamic process that can have a
significant impact on human health.
● Studies have shown that genetic factors can increase
an individual's susceptibility to environmental toxins,
such as air pollution and heavy metals, which can
lead to adverse health effects. Additionally,
environmental factors can alter gene expression and
epigenetic modifications, which can affect an
individual's risk for disease.

3. UNDERSTANDING GENE ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION
● The interaction between genes and the environment is multifaceted.
Genetic variations, inherited from parents, contribute to the diversity of
human traits and susceptibility to various health conditions. However,
genes alone do not solely determine the development of diseases; the
environment also plays a crucial role.
● External factors, such as diet, lifestyle, exposure to toxins, stress levels, and
socioeconomic conditions, can influence how genes behave. They can either
amplify or suppress the effects of specific genetic variants, leading to diverse
health outcomes in different individuals.

4. Modulation of Disease Risk
Genetic predisposition alone does not solely determine disease
risk; environmental factors can either enhance or reduce the
likelihood of disease manifestation. They can either amplify or
suppress the effects of specific genetic variants, leading to diverse
health outcomes in different individuals
For example : Individuals with specific genetic variants may be
more susceptible to lung cancer when exposed to tobacco smoke

5. BRCA1/2 is a well-known tumor suppressor gene, and mutations in this
gene significantly increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian
cancer. Hormonal factors, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
and age at menarche (onset of menstruation), have also been associated
with breast cancer risk.

6. CASE STUDY

7. Gene-Environment Interaction
Studies
Research in this area involves various methodologies,
including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), gene
expression analyses, and epigenetic investigations.
These studies enable the identification of gene-environment
interactions and provide insights into their functional
implications.

8. Prevention and Intervention Strategies
Behavioural
support
Personalized
medicines
Lifestyle
modifications
Environment
interventions

9. CONCLUSION

10. REFERENCES
● Rappaport, S.M., 2016. Genetic factors are not the major causes of chronic diseases. PloS
one, 11(4), p.e0154387.
● Hirschhorn, J.N., 2009. Genomewide association studies--illuminating biologic pathways. New
England journal of medicine, 360(17), p.1699.
● Manolio, T.A., Collins, F.S., Cox, N.J., Goldstein, D.B., Hindorff, L.A., Hunter, D.J., McCarthy, M.I.,
Ramos, E.M., Cardon, L.R., Chakravarti, A. and Cho, J.H., 2009. Finding the missing heritability of
complex diseases. Nature, 461(7265), pp.747-753.
● Kuchenbaecker, K.B., Hopper, J.L., Barnes, D.R., Phillips, K.A., Mooij, T.M., Roos-Blom, M.J., Jervis, S.,
Van Leeuwen, F.E., Milne, R.L., Andrieu, N. and Goldgar, D.E., 2017. Risks of breast, ovarian, and
contralateral breast cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Jama, 317(23), pp.2402-2416.

11. THANK YOU !