Barriers to the use of toxicogenomics data in human health risk assessment: A survey of Canadian risk assessors

Vachon, Julien; Campagna, Céline; Rodriguez, Manuel J.; Sirard, Marc‐André; Levallois, Patrick

doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.01.008

Cited by 18 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The next section of the survey sought to elicit the respondent's viewpoints on toxicity testing. We asked questions designed to elicit viewpoints related to the viability of alternative versus conventional testing strategies in environmental toxicology, adapted from previous surveys of professionals in the field of toxicology conducted by Zaunbrecher et al (2017) and Vachon et al (2017). According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, “viability” refers to the “ability to work as intended or to succeed.” We therefore asked respondents their views on the ability of different NAMs to work in testing hazard.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although international initiatives to “modernize” toxicity testing are multiplying and gathering momentum (Arnold 2015; ECHA 2016a; ICCVAM 2018; Kavlock et al 2018), the formal adoption and deployment of NAMs in chemical risk assessment generally remains limited. This situation represents an increasing source of frustration and topic of debate among different actors within the community of practice engaged in chemical risk assessment (Vachon et al 2017; Zaunbrecher et al 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…But the adoption of a NAM does not depend solely on its attributes because features of the adopting system, including organizational and institutional factors, also need to be addressed in order to realize a shift toward greater use of NAMs in chemical risk assessment (NTP 2004; ECCC 2016; Busquet and Hartung 2017; ICCVAM 2018; SCESEHD et al 2018; Tickner et al 2018). Furthermore, previous surveys concerning the perceptions of NAMs within the toxicology community have provided a portrait of perceived drivers and obstacles, and demographics tied to the use and level of knowledge about NAMs (Vachon et al 2017; Zaunbrecher et al 2017). Vachon et al's (2017) survey of Canadian human health risk assessors ( n = 29) revealed that familiarity with, and use of, toxicogenomics was very low.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, previous surveys concerning the perceptions of NAMs within the toxicology community have provided a portrait of perceived drivers and obstacles, and demographics tied to the use and level of knowledge about NAMs (Vachon et al 2017; Zaunbrecher et al 2017). Vachon et al's (2017) survey of Canadian human health risk assessors ( n = 29) revealed that familiarity with, and use of, toxicogenomics was very low. The authors suggested that a lack of guidelines regarding data interpretation and a lack of organizational leadership to promote the use of toxicogenomics might be causes of this limited uptake.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Professional profile in the environmental toxicology community (educational cohort, type of employer) is the first and most well‐studied potential factor influencing community perceptions of NAMs. Vachon et al (2017) reported that most of their Canadian risk assessor respondents did not have any training in toxicogenomics. Zaunbrecher et al (2017) reported a positive correlation between perceived viability of alternatives and degree year, demonstrating that as new individuals enter the community, the overall skills and education background of professionals change.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors Affecting the Perception of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in the Ecotoxicology Community

Mondou

Hickey

Rahman

et al. 2020

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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Given current legislative mandates to assess the safety of thousands of chemicals and the slow pace at which conventional testing proceeds, there is a need to accelerate chemical risk assessment. Governments and businesses are increasingly interested in new approach methodologies (NAMs) that promise to reduce costs and delays. We explore 5 sociological factors within the ecotoxicology community that can influence the perception of NAMs: 1) professional profile (educational cohort, employer), 2) internal science communication within professional forums, 3) concern for “error cost,” 4) collaboration across stakeholders, and 5) fundamental beliefs regarding toxicology. We conducted an online survey (n = 171; 2018) asking participants about their experiences and perspectives at events of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) to assess 1) how NAMs are discussed compared to conventional testing and 2) how respondents perceive their viability. We developed ordered logistic regression (OLR) models to understand the influence of exploratory variables (cohort, core views on toxicology, frequency of collaboration) on respondents' evaluation of the viability of different NAMs. Our results showed that 1) NAMs were more likely than conventional methods to be challenged in forum discussions, which may be fueled by concerns for error costs in regulatory decision making; 2) perceptions of the viability of NAMs tended to follow a “pattern of familiarity,” whereby respondents that were more knowledgeable about a test method tended to find it more viable; 3) respondents who agreed with the Paracelsus maxim had a greater likelihood of finding conventional testing viable; and 4) the more a respondent reported collaborating with industry on alternative testing strategies, the more likely she or he was to report that NAMs were less viable. These results suggest that there are professional and organizational barriers to greater acceptance of NAMs that can be addressed through a social learning process within the professional community. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:269–281. © 2020 SETAC

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Factors Affecting the Perception of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in the Ecotoxicology Community

Mondou

Hickey

Rahman

et al. 2020

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

EcoToxXplorer: Leveraging Design Thinking to Develop a Standardized Web‐Based Transcriptomics Analytics Platform for Diverse Users

Soufan

Ewald

Zhou

et al. 2021

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Exploring practices, challenges, and priorities for human health and ecological risk assessments in Indigenous communities in Canada

Chong,

Hickey,

Chan

et al. 2024

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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Indigenous peoples in Canada are disproportionately exposed to environmental contaminants and may face elevated health risks related to their unique cultural, spiritual, and economic relationships with the land, including the use of traditional food systems. However, to date, institutionalized approaches to assess risks to human and ecological health from contaminants have not been well developed or implemented with Indigenous community contexts in mind. There is regulatory interest in developing new approach methods for risk assessment, and thus an opportunity to increase their relevance to Indigenous communities in which they will be ultimately applied. Therefore, we conducted an anonymous mixed‐methods survey of those involved with risk assessment in Indigenous communities in Canada to: (1) understand risk assessment practice in Indigenous communities, (2) explore challenges with conventional assessment methods and compare these across sectors, and (3) gather perspectives on the development of new approaches. In all, 38 completed survey responses were received (14% response rate). Respondents were from Indigenous community environment and health offices (21% of respondents), Indigenous governments (8%), federal and provincial governments (21%), and academia (45%). Risk communication was seen as the most challenging part of risk assessment (71% responded “difficult”), and nearly all respondents agreed that time (86%), cost (76%), and resource availability (86%) were “moderate” to “serious” problems. Few respondents (16%) had heard of “new approach methods” for risk assessment, and 76% of respondents (and 100% of community‐based respondents) agreed on the need to develop improved risk assessment approaches. To modernize risk assessment, respondents recommended advancing cumulative risk assessment methods, improving risk communication, and promoting Indigenous leadership and Traditional Knowledge in assessment activities. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1–16. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

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Barriers to the use of toxicogenomics data in human health risk assessment: A survey of Canadian risk assessors

Cited by 18 publications

References 19 publications

Factors Affecting the Perception of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in the Ecotoxicology Community

Factors Affecting the Perception of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in the Ecotoxicology Community

EcoToxXplorer: Leveraging Design Thinking to Develop a Standardized Web‐Based Transcriptomics Analytics Platform for Diverse Users

Exploring practices, challenges, and priorities for human health and ecological risk assessments in Indigenous communities in Canada

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