Download Research Programme on the Environment, Genetics and Health 1

Research Programme on the Environment, Genetics and Health
1.
Summary
People are exposed to many different environmental factors in both the outdoor and the
indoor environments. Risk factors of interest include pollutants, consumer chemicals,
allergens, radiation, harmful substances in food and water, and noise. Environmental factors
may contribute to health or welfare problems, both at individual level and for later
generations. Such problems include cancer, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases,
allergies, neurodegenerative diseases and disturbance to the reproductive system. In most
cases, health effects are probably a result of an interplay between environmental and genetic
factors.
Diseases and health problems where environmental factors play an important role involve
substantial costs for various sectors of society, and it is therefore important to understand how
environmental factors affect the development of disease. The Research Programme on
Environment, Genetics and Health (PEGH) will focus on both positive and negative health
effects, and in certain cases on the absence of effects. Both environmental and health aspects
must be integrated into research projects. The programme is intended to cover research into
all aspects of exposure to environmental factors, both in the external environment and
indoors, and to include all routes of exposure, including inhalation, absorption through the
skin, and ingestion of food, drink, etc., provided that these are related to environmental
factors. The programme addresses both basic and applied research questions and will promote
an interdisciplinary approach. There is a need for knowledge of the effects of environmental
factors from molecular level up to individual and population level, and the interplay with
other risk factors such as genetic factors. Children are a particularly vulnerable group, and
special attention will be given to research questions related to child health and development.
International cooperation will be given high priority, but at the same time, key research
questions must be considered in relation to conditions that are relevant to Norway.
The research programme is intended to meet important needs for knowledge in various
administrative fields (health, environment, food, agriculture, fisheries, transport, construction
and the working environment) and the research must therefore involve many disciplines.
Administrators need knowledge in connection with exposure assessment monitoring, risk
assessment, implementation of measures, cost-benefit analysis and the administration of
legislation in different fields. The programme will follow up research needs described in a
number of Norwegian and international policy documents and reports. The research area
addressed by this programme is also a high priority area internationally, for example in the
EU’s Seventh Framework Programme.
The priority research areas for this programme are:
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Gene-environment interactions
Toxicology
Indoor climate research
Air pollution
Noise
Radiation
Hazardous substances
Exposure to risk factors through intake of food and water
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• Food, DNA and health
• Resistance to antibiotics
For the purpose of this research programme, environmental factors are limited to physical,
chemical and biological factors. As a general rule, research on the working environment will
not be included in the programme. The main focus, particularly for research on food-related
topics, is on basic and health-related research and associated environmental factors.
The primary objective of the programme is:
• to obtain knowledge of the interplay between the environment, genetic factors and health,
with the aim of improving public health and preventing hazardous exposure. The
programme is intended to improve the knowledge base for policy development and
activities within the public administration.
The following secondary objectives of the programme will govern the activities of the
programme board during the programme period:
• Research and competence-building activities will be carried out in the priority thematic
areas of the programme.
• Recruitment to toxicology will be strengthened.
• At least one new interdisciplinary network of researchers will be established.
• At least three of the projects funded through the programme will involve cooperation with
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EU research programmes.
Scientific status reports will be drawn up for at least three of the programme’s priority
thematic areas.
Popularised summaries of all the projects in the programme will be drawn up and
published on the programme’s website during each year of the programme period.
At least two of the projects will be presented to the public through the media during each
year of the programme period.
At least two international conferences with international speakers will be held on key
thematic areas within the scope of the programme.
The programme spans a five-year period from 2006 to 2010.
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2.
Background and framework
2.1 Scientific status and challenges
People are exposed to many different environmental factors in both the outdoor and the
indoor environments. Risk factors of interest include pollutants, consumer chemicals,
allergens, radiation, harmful substances in food and water, and noise. Environmental factors
may contribute to health and welfare problems, both at individual level and for later
generations
For the purpose of this research programme, environmental factors are limited to physical,
chemical and biological factors. As a general rule, research on the working environment will
not be included under this programme.
Environmental factors may be involved as causal factors in cancer, respiratory diseases,
cardiovascular diseases, allergies, neurodegenerative diseases and disturbance to the
reproductive system. Some of these diseases and health problems are increasing in prevalence
in some countries. However, their etiology is complicated, and our knowledge of causal
factors is limited. There are also environmental factors that may have positive effects on
health. In most cases, both positive and negative health effects are probably the result of an
interplay between environmental and genetic factors. Diseases and health problems where
environmental factors play an important role involve substantial costs for various sectors of
society. Research is needed to reveal how environmental factors affect health, and the extent
to which they result in disease or are involved in health or welfare problems, both at
individual level and for later generations.
Children are a particularly vulnerable group, and special attention will be given to research
questions related to child health and development (for example learning). This will be
important in Norway’s follow up of the 2004 WHO Ministerial Conference on Environment
and Health, which adopted the Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe.
Children appear to be more susceptible to exposure to chemicals than adults. There is
therefore an urgent need to improve knowledge and understanding of how different chemicals
affect children’s development and health. Indoor climate research is particularly important in
relating to children’s exposure to environmental factors in schools and day care centres.
The Environment, Genetics and Health Programme is intended to generate new knowledge
about how environmental factors affect health, including both positive and negative effects,
and in certain cases an absence of effects. International cooperation is particularly important
in this research area. At the same time, key research questions must be considered in relation
to conditions in Norway: for example, characteristic features of the diet in Norway and of the
climate, the fact that Norway receives relatively large inputs of long-range air pollution, the
large proportion of time people spend indoors and ways in which people’s homes differ from
those in other countries.
There is a great need for more knowledge in all the research areas covered by the research
programme, both for purposes of disease prevention and to meet the knowledge needs of the
public administration. Administrators need knowledge in connection with exposure
assessment monitoring, risk assessment, implementation of measures, cost-benefit analysis
and the administration of legislation in different fields (for example the classification and
approval of biological agents and chemicals). Research in this programme will be important
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for various administrative fields: health, environment, food, agriculture, fisheries, transport,
construction, and the working environment.
Section 4 describes the priority thematic areas in more detail: gene-environment interactions;
toxicology; indoor climate research; air pollution; noise; radiation; hazardous substances;
exposure to risk factors through intake of food and water; food, DNA and health; resistance to
antibiotics.
2.2 Strategic guidelines
A number of Norwegian and international policy documents and reports address issues
relevant to the research supported by the Environment, Genetics and Health Programme and
identify research needs within this field. They are listed below (where English title appears in
quotes documents are only available in Norwegian), and discussed in more detail in
Attachment 1.
Follow-up of Norwegian strategies and action plans
• Norwegian National Environment and Health Action Plan (Ministry of Health and
Social Affairs and Ministry of the Environment)
• Forebygging av astma, allergi og inneklimaplager - Strategi og tiltak 2005-2009
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(“Prevention of asthma, allergy and indoor-climate-related diseases: strategies and
measures 2005-2009”), Directorate for Health and Social Affairs
Report No. 20 (2004-2005) to the Storting: Commitment to Research (Ministry of
Education and Research)
Report No. 16 (2002-2003) to the Storting: Prescriptions for a healthier Norway
(Ministry of Health and Care Services)
Report No. 21 (2004-2005) to the Storting on the Government’s environmental policy
and the state of the environment in Norway (Ministry of the Environment)
Helse- og omsorgsdepartementets forskningsstrategi 2005-2010 (“Research strategy
for the Ministry of Health and Care Services 2005-2010”)
Official Norwegian Report 2000:29 Om helsemessige konsekvenser ved bruk av
genmodifiserte næringsmidler (“On the health impacts of using genetically modified
food”)
Tiltaksplan for å motvirke antibiotikaresistens (2000-2004) (“Action plan to prevent
the development of resistance to antibiotics (2000-2004”) (Ministry of Health and
Care Services)
Miljøverndepartementets kunnskapsbehov 2005-2009 (“Knowledge needs of the
environmental authorities 2005-2009”) (Ministry of the Environment)
Strategy for the Research Council of Norway, Research expands frontiers
Internationalisation and international commitments
• Strategy for the Research Council of Norway, Research expands frontiers
• Report No. 20 (2004-2005) to the Storting: Commitment to Research (Ministry of
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Education and Research)
EU Programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008))
The new EU chemicals legislation, REACH, and the Biocides Directive
European Environment and Health Strategy (Com(2003)338)
The European Health and Environment Action Plan 2004-2010 (COM(2004)416)
Children’s Environmental Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE).
Nordic Environmental Action Plan 2005-2008 (Nordic Council of Ministers)
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• EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7)
• European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
2.3 Gender perspectives
It is important to investigate and document gender differences in health and medical research.
The Environment, Genetics and Health Programme therefore encourages research projects to
address special topics and challenges related to women’s health issues in the programme’s
priority areas. There should be a focus on gender differences in all fields of research, for
example differences in exposure and sensitivity to different risk factors, differences in disease
frequency.
3.
Objectives of the programme
3.1 Primary objective
• The primary objective of the programme is to obtain knowledge of the interplay between
the environment, genetic factors and health, with the aim of improving public health and
preventing hazardous exposure. The programme is intended to improve the knowledge
base for policy development and activities within the public administration
For the purpose of the research programme, environmental factors are limited to physical,
chemical and biological factors. As a general rule, research on the working environment will
not be included under this programme.
3.2 Secondary objectives
Priority thematic areas
• Research and competence-building in the priority thematic areas described in section
4.2 will be carried out during the programme period.
Recruitment
The programme committee will encourage recruitment of researchers to the field by giving
priority to good-quality researcher projects that include recruitment as an integral part of the
project and personal post-doctoral research fellowships. There is particular cause for concern
with regard to recruitment to toxicology.
• During the programme period, recruitment to toxicology will be strengthened.
Interdisciplinarity and cooperation
The Environment, Genetics and Health Programme must take a comprehensive approach to
the research questions that come within its scope. Research projects must incorporate both
environmental and health aspects, and interdisciplinarity and cooperation across disciplines
and institutions will be important. To achieve this, the programme committee will give
priority to projects of high scientific merit that are truly interdisciplinary and that integrate
environmental and health aspects of research.
• During the programme period, at least one new interdisciplinary network of
researchers will be established.
Internationalisation
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International cooperation is a very important element of research within this programme, not
least in the context of the EU research programmes. To promote such cooperation, the
programme committee will give priority to good-quality projects where cooperation with EU
research programmes has already been established and that include researcher exchange
between Norwegian research institutions and international research communities.
• During the programme period, at least three of the projects funded under the
programme will involve cooperation with EU research programmes.
Dissemination
• During the programme period, scientific status reports will be drawn up for at least
three of the programme’s priority thematic areas.
• Each year during the programme period, popularised summaries of all the projects in
the programme will be drawn up and published on the programme’s website.
• Each year during the programme period, at least two of the projects will be presented
to the public through the media.
During the programme period, relevant results will be communicated to the public
administration at regular intervals. It is important to provide arenas for the exchange of
knowledge and experience between researchers and the public administration.
Networks and dissemination
• During the programme period, at least two international conferences will be held on
key thematic areas within the scope of the programme.
4.
Priority research areas
4.1 Overall priorities
A comprehensive approach is needed to the research questions in this programme, and both
environmental and health aspects must be integrated into research projects. The programme
addresses both basic and applied research questions and will promote an interdisciplinary
approach. Cooperation between many disciplines and institutions will be necessary. There is a
need for knowledge of the effects of environmental factors from molecular level up to
individual and population level and the interplay with other risk factors such as genetic
factors. Epidemiological studies provide the basis for hypotheses that should be followed up
in exposure studies and toxicological studies. Internationally, a major field of research links
basic mechanistic studies with studies using population registers , and it is important to ensure
that Norwegian researchers also participate in such studies.
One reason why knowledge of mechanisms at molecular levels is important is that exposure
to environmental factors is often very complex. Moreover, knowledge of mechanisms at this
level is valuable because it is often possible to extrapolate from one substance or disease to
another. In addition, health intervention trials are important as a means of illustrating the
instruments that can be used to achieve public health objectives.
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The Environment, Genetics and Health Programme is intended to cover research into all
aspects of exposure to environmental factors, both in the external environment and indoors,
and to include all routes of exposure, including inhalation, absorption through the skin, and
ingestion of food, drink, etc. Long-term studies of low levels of exposure and the effects of
simultaneous exposure to several types of environmental pollutants are also needed.
4.2 Priority thematic areas
Gene-environment interactions
This is a relatively new field of research, dealing with the interplay between exposure to
environmental factors and an individual’s genetic make-up. It is developing rapidly, and
functional genomics has become a very important topic. Diseases such asthma, allergies,
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD), most types of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular
diseases and neurodegenerative diseases develop through complex interactions between genes
and the environment (gene-gene and gene-environment interactions). We currently know little
about why some individuals develop a disease when exposed to particular environmental
factors, while others remain healthy. We also lack information on the variation in disease
phenotypes within a specific disease. Further studies should be made of the interplay between
different chemicals and genetic variation and their effects on environmental disease. It is a
difficult task to determine the molecular and genetic basis of complex diseases, since several
genes are involved in their development (polygenetic inheritance) and the interplay between
genetics and environment is complex. In the long term, research in this field will provide new
insights into the etiology of these diseases. The results can be used preventively, both to
introduce measures to protect the population against undesirable environmental factors and to
identify individuals who are at risk and introduce measures to protect them as far as possible.
Research into gene-environment interactions is a field where Norwegian research institutions
have the potential to make their mark internationally, partly because Norway’s population is
relatively homogenous and extensive data is available. For example, there are very good
population and disease registries (including the Cancer Registry of Norway and the Medical
Birth Registry) and biobanks, which is a particular advantage for research in this field. Steps
should be taken to advance methodological developments in bioinformatics for use in studies
of gene-environment interactions.
Toxicology
This is a field where there is a particular need for recruitment, both in research institutions
and in the public administration. The health authorities and the environmental authorities have
expressed concern about recruitment to toxicology, and they have launched initiatives to
improve the situation. A high level of knowledge in toxicology and enhanced recruitment to
the field are important for many of the thematic areas within the Environment, Genetics and
Health Programme, including those involving the food and chemicals administration and
policy development. For example, the classification and evaluation of chemicals requires a
high level of expertise in human toxicology, ecotoxicology, exposure assessment and risk
assessment.
Indoor climate research
The quality of the indoor environment and indoor climate are very important since most of us
spend a great deal of time indoors at home, at work, in schools and day care centres, on public
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and private transport, in public buildings and so on. The growth in environment and health
problems such as asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections is partly related to the indoor
climate. A number of environmental factors affect the air quality indoors. For example, the
reduced ventilation rates that are a result of energy-saving measures or more airtight
constructions, moisture and mould, and the use of new construction materials in buildings all
expose people to a growing number of chemicals. In addition, exposure to house dust mites
and microbiological agents is rising. Factors such as tobacco smoke, temperature, light and
noise also affect the indoor climate. Indoor radon levels in Norway are among the highest in
the world, although levels of exposure vary widely. Research on the indoor climate and health
effects is thus very important, in particular research on moisture problems and on passive
smoking in the home. Indoor climate research is of an interdisciplinary nature and is relevant
to several sectors.
Air pollution
Air pollution is still a major problem in certain towns and built-up areas in Norway. Relevant
research questions are related particularly to the health effects of particulate matter. The most
important sources are road traffic (asphalt dust from the use of studded tyres and exhaust
emissions, particularly from diesel fuel), fuelwood use and long-range air pollution. We know
too little about the health effects of pollution by particulate matter from different sources in
Norway and in the form of long-range air pollution, on the interplay with weather conditions
at different times of year and other substances, and any differences between Norway and other
countries. More knowledge is needed of how exposure to particulate matter of different sizes
or composition is related to health effects (lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases and
allergies), and particularly of exposure to fine and ultrafine particles and the resultant health
effects. Knowledge of seasonal variations in exposure to pollutants and the resultant health
effects, and of total exposure levels (both indoor and outdoor) for individuals in relation to
health effects is also needed. In addition, we need to know more about the consequences of
short- and long-term exposure to particulate matter and of combined exposure to particulate
matter and other pollutants. This research is important as a basis for regulation and the
implementation of measures by the public administration.
Noise
Too little is known about the effects of different measures to reduce levels of noise
annoyance. Greater understanding is also needed of the relationship between exposure to
different noise levels and health effects, and how noise can trigger disease. Research to
identify cost-effective measures and the development of low-noise technology are highpriority fields, especially research on and testing of low-noise tyres, the development of new
models for noise emissions from car tyres and research on interactions between tyres and road
surfaces. In addition, knowledge of the effects of various noise levels at night on health and
well-being should be strengthened. It is important to focus on vulnerable groups such as
children, old people, the hearing-impaired, and people who are ill or particularly sensitive to
noise. The Environment, Genetics and Health Programme is intended to provide a framework
for consolidating all environment- and health-related research. This makes a comprehensive
approach to research within the programme particularly important.
Radiation
Exposure to radiation takes a variety of forms. People may be exposed to different radiation
sources in the workplace, to UV radiation from the sun, to radon indoors, and so on. Cancer is
probably the most important health effect of radiation, but more knowledge is needed to
clarify the significance of radiation for birth defects and reproductive problems,
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cardiovascular damage and adverse effects on the immune system. Both studies in radiation
biology and epidemiological studies of the effects of radiation are needed. Very little is
known about the importance of long-term low-dose exposure for health. More knowledge is
also needed of the combined effects of radiation and hazardous substances.
Hazardous substances
Rising concentrations of environmentally hazardous substances are being measured in the
environment. About 50 000 chemicals are registered on the market in the EU, and the number
is rising. Most of these substances have not been thoroughly investigated. More information
on the health effects of new chemicals and their metabolites is therefore urgently needed,
particularly in the case of substances that are or may be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic.
More knowledge is also needed about chemicals that are already on the market, but for which
the toxicological documentation is inadequate. Health effects of interest include cancer,
genetic damage, and damage to the immune and nervous systems. Another relevant field of
study is the effects of chemicals on specific population groups, for example effects on fetal
development and on children’s health and development. Exposure assessment and
epidemiological and toxicological research will be necessary. Studies of low-dose exposure
and the combined effects of different substances will be of particular interest. Work is needed
on the further development of existing models and methods and the development of new ones
to improve risk assessment of chemicals. Better knowledge is also needed of possible adverse
effects on health and the environment of drugs, cosmetic products and pesticides and their
metabolites released into the environment. Better recruitment to toxicology is very important
in the context of chemicals research and management.
Exposure to risk factors through intake of food and water
Food and water are an important source of exposure to a range of environmental factors.
Health problems have been related to exposure to contaminants in food and water (including
organic pollutants, metals, contaminants formed during food processing, endocrine disruptors,
radioactive substances, microbiological agents). Restrictions on consumption of seafood have
for example been introduced in areas where the content of contaminants is too high. Naturally
occurring substances can also cause health problems (for example natural toxins in plants,
moulds and algae). There is also a need for research focusing on the health effects of
pathogenic microorganisms present in the feed- and food-processing chain, including water.
As regards drinking water, research questions related to microorganisms that are resistant to
disinfectants and the presence of disinfectant by-products and other substances that affect
water quality will be of particular interest.
Satisfactory methodology for describing exposure to xenobiotics via food needs to be better
developed. More knowledge is also needed about biologically active substances that are not
traditionally considered to be nutrients and about contaminants formed during processing of
food. Information on exposure via food is country-specific, among other things because eating
habits vary from one country to another.
Important research topics will include the development of tools, models and methods that
administrators can use in risk assessment of environmental factors in food. There is also a
need to strengthen the knowledge base on contaminants in food, to develop knowledge and
expertise on existing and “new” pathogenic microorganisms, especially zoonotic agents, and
to improve knowledge of food allergy and intolerance.
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Food, DNA and health
The focus on adverse health effects of genetically modified organisms in the last few years
has made it clear that there are large gaps in our knowledge of the possible health effects of
new foodstuffs and also of new variants of traditional food. Traditional cultivation and
breeding can bring about far greater genetic change than genetic modification, but possible
health effects have not been systematically studied. In the last few years, research has shown
that considerable amounts of DNA are absorbed by the gut, but it is not known what effects
this may have. New technology has brought recognition of the importance of basic research
on food and health for the public administration and consumers. Knowledge of both positive
and negative effects of genetically modified organisms is also needed.
Resistance to antibiotics
The development of resistance to antibiotics is a rapidly growing and very serious health
problem. Resistant bacteria and viruses can be transmitted from animals to people and vice
versa. Genes that code for resistance to antibacterial agents are often associated with mobile
genetic elements such as plasmids, transposons and gene cassettes in integrons, and genes for
resistance to antibiotics can thus transmitted between bacteria. Transmission can take place
between very different bacteria that belong to different populations of microbes, for example
between bacteria that are part of the microbe flora in people, animals and other ecosystems.
More knowledge is needed of the genetic basis for how xenobiotics in the environment are
involved in the development of resistance in bacteria and viruses, the potential for
transmission of resistance between bacteria and viruses, and the reservoir of resistance genes
in the environment. Knowledge about resistance to antibiotics is particularly important in
connection with the prevention of hospital infections.
5.
Examples of diseases and health effects that can be related to
adverse genetic and environmental factors
Cancer
There is generally a time lag of 10-30 years between exposure to a carcinogen and the
development of cancer. Many cancers are multifactorial, and it is not possible to find
straightforward links between certain cancer types or a proportion of cancers and specific
factors. Many different mechanisms contribute to the development of cancer, and it has only
been possible to identify specific causal factors in a few cases. Research on causal
mechanisms and population studies are needed to find possible relationships between
exposure to environmental factors and the occurrence of cancer. Cancers that may result from
exposure to environmental factors include lung cancer (known environmental factors include
tobacco smoke and asbestos), cervical cancer (environmental factor may be viruses) and
mesothelioma (environmental factor may be asbestos).
Allergy, asthma and Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD)
Asthma, allergies and other hypersensitivities were relatively rare only a few decades ago, but
are now the commonest chronic diseases in children and young adults. They affect almost half
of all children today, and recent studies suggest that asthma rates are still rising rapidly in
Norway. Asthma and allergies put a major burden on the health care system. Environmental
factors may play a role in the rising rates of these diseases, for example moisture in buildings
and passive smoking, including smoking by pregnant women. Various hypotheses have been
proposed, there is little definite knowledge about causal factors. Rates of asthma and allergy
vary widely between countries, which indicates that the importance of regional and national
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environmental factors also varies. It is therefore important for Norway to carry out research
both to identify national environmental factors of importance and to contribute to general
knowledge on this topic. The interplay between environment, genetics, lifestyle and allergic
complaints is complex, and gaining an understanding of why so many people are affected will
therefore require both major resource-intensive, long-term studies involving many disciplines,
such as medicine, construction technology, microbiology, chemistry, epidemiology, genetics
and toxicology and also other scientific approaches.
More than 300 000 people in Norway have COLD, and the condition is particularly common
among elderly people. It is believed to be caused by a combination of environmental and
genetic factors. Research that can reveal disease mechanisms and crucial environmental
factors other than smoking may prevent the expected rise in COLD, prevent premature death
and reduce the health costs associated with the disease. Certain studies have shown that the
risk of developing COLD is greater for women than for men.
Neurodegenerative diseases
The number of people with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease is increasing in
Western countries. There is probably no single underlying cause. Recent studies indicate that
Parkinson’s disease is multifactorial, and that the factors involved include hazardous
substances (including pesticides and various industrial chemicals), free radicals and genetic
predisposition. A combination of several risk factors is also believed to be involved in
Alzheimer’s disease. However, there have been few epidemiological studies, and they are
difficult to carry out and interpret. In addition, we know little about the interplay between
genetic factors and environmental exposure in the etiology of such diseases.
Birth defects and reproductive problems
Several of the classic persistent organic pollutants are also endocrine disruptors and can have
adverse effects on reproduction, for example causing implantation failure, miscarriages, male
fertility problems and fetal damage. The fetus may be particularly sensitive to environmental
factors. Many substances are known to cause fetal damage, the extent varying with the stage
of pregnancy at which exposure occurs and the substance involved. The Norwegian Medical
Birth Registry was established to monitor birth defects and pregnancies. In recent years, a rise
in the occurrence of certain birth defects in boys has been registered, but the causes are not
known. Paternal factors may also have an impact on fertility and on later generations. Such
factors may play a role in the development of testicular cancer in young men, birth defects in
the male sex organs, and poor sperm quality in adult men. Research on the effects of
environmentally hazardous substances is complicated by the many lifestyle factors that also
affect fetal development.
The immune system
The immune system is sensitive to a number of environmentally hazardous substances. Some
studies have attempted to document the effects of such substances on the immune system.
However, we know very little about the combined effects of environmentally hazardous
substances and serious bacterial and viral infections.
Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
There is growing evidence that the environment in the womb and during early childhood can
result in health effects in the adult; for example, this is the case for type 2 diabetes and
cardiovascular diseases. The interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental
factors is important in determining the risk that an individual will develop these diseases later
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in life. Studies also indicate that there are links between other environmental factors such as
noise and cardiovascular disease, particularly for people with a genetic predisposition to such
diseases.
Osteoporosis
There has been a dramatic increase in the rate of osteoporosis in recent decades. The
frequency of forearm, vertebral and hip fractures in Norway is the highest in the world.
Osteoporosis has been regarded as a women’s disease, but is now showing a considerable
increase in men as well. The cause of the high rate in Scandinavia has not been identified. The
possibility that environmentally hazardous substances may play a role has been discussed
recently. Various studies indicate that substances such as cadmium, dioxins, organochlorines
and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may have adverse effects on the bone
structure.
6.
Programme organisation and instruments
6.1 Recruitment, competence-building and scientific development
The Environment, Genetics and Health Programme is intended to address a very wide and
complex research area, and to meet important needs for knowledge in several spheres of the
public administration. The research will therefore have to involve many disciplines and cover
both basic and applied research questions. It will be important to ensure both interdisciplinary
and multidisciplinary approaches, and cooperation between Norwegian research communities
will be necessary to ensure effective competence-building and to generate new knowledge.
Networks at national, Nordic and international level should therefore be strengthened.
Traditionally, Norwegian independent research institutes have been most active in
environmental and health research. It is important to ensure that their competence is utilised in
the best possible way and further developed. At the same time, other research groups with
relevant competence are also encouraged to contribute in this area. In particular, one goal of
the programme is to promote participation by relevant research groups at universities and
hospitals. This will make it possible to benefit from substantial general competence that is not
being properly utilised today. Closer cooperation between these research communities and the
research institutes may also yield fruitful results. Cooperation between environmental
hygienists, toxicologists and epidemiologists is especially important in this context.
Recent evaluations of Norwegian research, both the biosciences evaluation and the panel
evaluation of research on clinical practice, epidemiology, community medicine, health
sciences and psychology, have pointed out that the research communities in these areas are
too small and fragmented and that they lack an international component. The programme
board will therefore actively work to promote the development of larger and more effective
research groups headed by experts in the appropriate fields.
Steady recruitment is needed in many of the research areas addressed by the programme,
particularly toxicology (see section 4.2). This is necessary both in order to promote
knowledge development and to ensure that the public administration has access to competent
advisers. Thus, greater research competence is needed at doctoral, postdoctoral and senior
researcher level. The Research Council has been given special responsibility for larger-scale
initiatives in priority areas and post-doctoral positions.
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6.2 International cooperation
International researcher exchange is an important area of responsibility for the programme,
and the programme committee will view participation in studies that involve international
cooperation and researcher exchanges (visits abroad by Norwegian researchers and to Norway
by guest researchers) as a significant factor when assessing grant proposals. It is highly
desirable for a post-doctoral research fellowship to include a stay abroad, and grant proposals
for post-doctoral fellowships should as a general rule include such a stay. Plans for exchanges
of established scientists should be included in grant proposals for researcher projects.
International network building and active participation in international meetings and
conferences are also important in the internationalisation of Norwegian research. Norway has
a responsibility to contribute to international knowledge development, particularly in areas
that will benefit less wealthy countries.
In particular, participation in EU research programmes is encouraged. Several of the thematic
priorities proposed for the 7th Framework Programme are also relevant to the Environment,
Genetics and Health Programme, see Attachment 1.
The white paper Commitment to research emphasises the importance of more active
participation in European research (EU framework programmes) and of strengthening
bilateral research cooperation, particularly with North America and countries in Asia.
Participation in EU research programmes and other international activities is only possible if
there are dynamic Norwegian research groups that can take part in such cooperation.
Participation by relevant dynamic research groups should be encouraged. Competencebuilding in other research areas is also important, to enable them to become attractive to
cooperation partners abroad. In many cases, Nordic cooperation will be particularly useful
because relevant research questions and social conditions are similar in all the Nordic
countries.
6.3 Dissemination activities
The programme board will give high priority to dissemination of research findings, and
considers it important to make researchers aware of the importance of communicating their
results to others. Dissemination activities must be included during the planning phase. It is
essential that research results are published in international scientific journals. Newspaper
articles, magazines, websites and so on are also important channels for popularisation of
research results. Researchers who receive grants from the programme are encouraged to take
an active part in debates and at seminars and conferences in Norway and abroad. The
programme will seek to provide complete and updated information on projects and
programme activities on the programme’s website: http://www.program.forskningsradet.no/.
The programme will also include regular events such as meetings of researchers, meetings on
special topics and conferences for the public administration.
In addition to the research community, target groups are politicians, the public administration
(primarily the environmental, health, food, agricultural, fisheries, construction, labour and
transport authorities) and the general public.
6.4 Instruments and work methods
The programme will primarily grant funding to projects within the programme’s thematic
priorities, but the programme board may also decide to initiate specific projects if this is
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considered to be necessary to stimulate research in specific areas. If research funds are to be
allocated to specially designated areas, this will be stated in the call for proposals.
In the first phase of the programme, priority will be given to applications for researcher
projects and personal post-doctoral research fellowships. Researcher projects may include
both doctoral and post-doctoral research fellowships, and the focus on these instruments
provides the best basis for fostering a flourishing research environment.
International researcher exchange is an important area of responsibility for the programme,
and in this context, personal overseas research grants for Norwegian researchers and personal
visiting researcher grants for researchers from abroad will be given priority. Post-doctoral
research fellows are especially encouraged to conduct research abroad, and plans for this
should be specified in the application for post-doctoral research fellowships. Applications for
researcher projects may also include a funding request for researcher exchange for research
fellows and established researchers.
Applications will be accepted for partial funding of major international researcher conferences
in which Norwegian researchers have undertaken commitments as conference host and
organiser. Funding must also be provided by the host institution and through conference
registration fees. A budget and programme outline must be attached to the application.
Projects will be assessed on the basis of their scientific merit and relevance. Priority will be
given to projects containing a recruitment component, which must be well-integrated into the
overall project. The types of funding and application procedures may be subject to change
during the programme period, in compliance with prevailing Research Council guidelines.
For more information on the various types of funding, see the Research Council’s website:
www.forskningsradet.no. The deadline for submission of grant proposals under the
programme corresponds to the Research Council’s application deadlines and will be
announced on the website.
The Research Council serves as an important arena for contact, and will facilitate cooperation
through the organisation of conferences and meetings of research fellows and researchers. The
target groups for the conferences may vary, but will include researchers, health policy makers
and public administrators
6.5 Coordination with other programmes
The priority thematic areas for the Environment, Genetics and Health Programme are
described in section 4, and section 2 defines environmental factors for the purpose of the
programme. As a general rule, research on the working environment will not be included in
the programme. However, relevant research problems may be included if they are difficult to
study in other contexts than the working environment and will produce results that are also
applicable to the priority thematic areas of the programme.
There are clear interfaces between this programme and other initiatives and research
programmes at the Research Council. Within the Division for Innovation, the Food
Programme: Norwegian Food from Sea and Land is particularly relevant. This programme
mainly addresses industrial and management-oriented research, whereas the Environment,
Genetics and Health Programme focuses mainly on basic and health-related research in this
field, partly to improve the knowledge base for public-sector administration. Close
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cooperation between the two programmes will be important, particularly within the priority
area of food and health.
In the Division for Strategic Priorities, the Oceans and Coastal Areas programme addresses
research questions related to those in the Environment, Genetics and Health Programme, as do
the large-scale programmes Functional Genomics in Norway (FUGE) and Nanotechnology
and New Materials (NANOMAT).
In the Division for Science, the Public Health Research Programme addresses related
questions, as do various independent projects (for example in physiology, anatomy and
related disciplines and in molecular biology, biotechnology and related disciplines).
The programme will collaborate with other programmes that share thematic similarities, for
example with regard to funding announcements, receipt of applications, and
seminars/conferences. Applicants bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that grant
proposals are submitted to the most appropriate programme, but the programme’s contact
persons may be consulted in case of questions.
6.6 Time-frame and funding
The programme spans a five-year period from 2006 to 2010. Efforts will be made to ensure
that the projects awarded funding receive realistic allocations and thus benefit from
satisfactory working conditions with a view to achieving high-quality results. At the same
time, this must be balanced with the need for a broad scientific approach in the programme.
The proposed budget for 2006 is NOK 20-25 million. The research challenges in the field will
require funding corresponding to an annual programme budget of NOK 35-40 million for
subsequent years. The Ministry of Health and Care Services will serve as the main source of
funding for the programme and is expected to provide more than half the funding. The
programme is important to several areas of the public administration, and funding will also be
sought from other ministries, including the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of
Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Ministry of Local
Government and Regional Development, the Ministry of Education and Research, and the
Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs. A programme with adequate scientific breadth will
require funding from several ministries.
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Appendix 1
2.2 Strategic guidelines
Follow-up of Norwegian strategies and action plans
A number of policy documents and reports address issues relevant to the research supported
by the Environment, Genetics and Health Programme and other scientific questions within
this field.
The importance of intensifying research efforts to investigate the interplay between
environmental factors indoors and in the external environment and public health has been put
on the international agenda in many contexts, for example within WHO and the EU. The
former Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and the Ministry of the Environment drew up
the Norwegian National Environment and Health Action Plan, which was completed in 2000
and includes research as a priority area. This action plan and the strategy for prevention of
asthma, allergy and indoor-climate-related diseases drawn up by the Directorate for Health
and Social Affairs for the period 2005-2009 form an important basis for the Environment,
Genetics and Health Programme.
Two of the research fields the government specifically proposed should be strengthened in the
white paper Commitment to Research are food and health. The research areas addressed by
the Environment, Genetics and Health Programme may also be of importance for the other
main priorities set out in the white paper, i.e. oceans and energy and the environment. Other
priorities mentioned in the white paper that will be addressed by this research programme are
biotechnology, steps to strengthen basic research, particularly in biomedical science, and
international cooperation. Moreover, the white paper points out that regional health
authorities, universities and university colleges are primarily responsible for funding smallscale research projects conducted by their own employees, while as a general rule, the
Research Council is to direct its allocations toward larger-scale projects.
The white paper Prescriptions for a healthier Norway focuses on environment and health
(asthma and allergy, air quality, noise, radiation) and safe food (including drinking water) and
highlights the need for more knowledge and competence-building in these fields. The white
paper also points to the need to follow up the Norwegian National Environment and Health
Action Plan.
The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety was established in 2004 as part of the
recent reorganisation of the Norwegian food authorities. Its main task is to carry out
independent scientific risk assessments for the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, but not to
carry out research itself. However, the need for greater research activity in the field of safe
food was also put on the agenda during the reorganisation process.
The research strategy for the Ministry of Health and Care Services for 2005-2010 gives
special priority to strengthening epidemiological research in the fields of resistance to
antibiotics, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and the effects of environmentally hazardous
substances on the development of allergies and autoimmune diseases.
Gene technology is a contentious area in the public debate, and there are currently more
questions than answers. There is an urgent need for more knowledge of the long-term health
effects of the intake of genetically modified food. As early as 1996, a report from a consensus
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conference proposed that one focus of research should be possible impacts on health and the
environment. This was reiterated at a follow-up conference in 2000, which also focused on
the need for more public funding for independent research on genetically modified products.
The budget proposal for 2005 noted that there is only limited research in progress on the longterm effects of using genetically-modified food, and identified the risks associated with new
technology, including genetically modified food, as a priority area. The Official Norwegian
Report on the health impacts of using genetically modified food highlights the importance of
interdisciplinary research in this area.
Many different measures are required to prevent and combat resistance to antibiotics.
Norway’s efforts are based on an action plan drawn up by the Ministry of Health and Care
Services for the period 2000-2004 and its follow-up.
The white papers on the government’s environmental policy and the state of the environment
(most recently Report No. 21 (2004-2005) to the Storting) provide an overview of Norway’s
environmental policy. They describe its key priorities and the main challenges that must be
addressed. The white papers also provide guidelines for future efforts. Hazardous substances
and their release into the environment are identified as one of the most serious environmental
threats today. One of the government’s goals is to reduce or avoid the health risk associated
with these substances.
The Ministry of the Environment has drawn up a document on the knowledge needs of the
environmental authorities in the period 2005-2009. Certain of these come within the scope of
the Environment, Genetics and Health Programme, particularly those related to hazardous
substances, particulate matter and noise.
The Environment, Genetics and Health Programme will also follow up the priorities set out in
the Research Council’s strategy up to 2010, Research expands frontiers.
Internationalisation and international commitments
One of the six main goals set out in the Research Council’s strategy Research expands
frontiers is increased internationalisation of Norwegian research. Internationalisation is also
identified as a key priority in the white paper Commitment to Research. The Government and
the Storting (Norwegian parliament) consider international cooperation to be of crucial
importance in improving the quality of Norwegian research and promoting innovation. The
white paper on research policy emphasises the importance of more active participation in
European research (the EU’s 7th Framework Programme) and of strengthening bilateral
research cooperation, particularly with North America and countries in Asia. In the proposals
for the 7th Framework Programme, “Environment and Health” has been identified as an
activity under the thematic area “Environment”. The thematic areas “Health” and “Food,
Agriculture and Biotechnology” are also relevant to the Environment, Genetics and Health
Programme Efforts to create an integrated European Research Area will continue and be
intensified during the 7th Framework Programme. The EU Public Health Programme, is also
focusing on pollution-related disease, and is relevant to the Environment, Genetics and Health
Programme.
As a party to the EEA Agreement, Norway is obliged to incorporate EU chemicals legislation
into its national legislation. This includes provisions on risk assessment, classification, and
approval procedures for chemicals. The legislation has a direct impact on Norway. It is
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therefore important for Norway to maintain high competence and the necessary capacity in
this field.
From 2007, the EU will be introducing new chemicals legislation (REACH). For Norway,
compliance with the new legislation will probably require improved toxicological
competence. The Biocide Directive has also been incorporated into Norwegian legislation,
and Norway has so far been given the responsibility for considering the authorisation of five
biocidal products.
Furthermore, Norway has taken on considerable international obligations related to food in
cooperation under the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), where national experts take
part in scientific committees and panels. Norway is also represented on the EU Commission
scientific committees dealing with health risks related to consumer products, the environment
and cosmetics.
In 2003, the EU launched the European Environment and Health Strategy (COM(2003) 338),
and has followed this up with the European Health and Environment Action Plan 2004-2010
(COM(2004)416), which was the Commission’s contribution to the WHO Ministerial
Conference in Budapest in 2004. During this conference, Norway and the other participants
undertook to draw up national action plans for children’s health and environment and
contribute to the implementation of the Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for
Europe (CEHAPE). Research focusing on the importance of environmental factors for
children and young people’s health will be needed to follow up these commitments.
The Nordic Council of Ministers has revised its environmental action plan to apply to the
period 2005-2008. The programme covers cooperation within the Nordic area and in relation
to the EU, other international forums, neighbouring areas and the Arctic. Four major themes
have been chosen to concentrate Nordic environmental cooperation and to ensure that the
Environmental Action Plan 2005-2008 includes input on the most important environmental
matters: the environment and health, the sea, nature, the cultural environment and outdoor
life, and sustainable consumption and production. Knowledge about chemicals is a key
element of the action plan.
In February 2006, the International Conference on Chemicals Management adopted the
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), which will also be
approved by various UN agencies (UNEP, WHO, ILO and others). It includes a detailed
global plan of action for implementation of the Strategic Approach, which includes various
research tasks.
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