MEDICAL BIOLOGY, ANATOMY, HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Ya.I. Fedoniuk 2010

BIOLOGY

SECTION 1. BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN VITAL ACTIVITY

1.4. ONTOGENETIC LEVEL OF LIFE ORGANIZATION

1.4.2. Fundamentals of human genetics

Genetic monitoring; means of reducing the risk of Mutations

The state of atmospheric air, Water, and soil in many regions of Ukraine is unsatisfactory. It has been established that numerous pollutants are capable of inducing Gene Mutations in experiments using Salmonella test strains. In A number of cases, drinking water has also proven to be genotoxic. The unfavorable ecological situation in Ukraine has been particularly exacerbated by the Chornobyl NPP disaster (1986). The demographic situation in Ukraine has taken the form of an acute crisis. Since 1991, the mortality rate has begun to exceed the birth rate. The number of individuals with Genetic Disorders resulting from the combined action of chemical and Physical Mutagens has increased, as has the genetic load in populations. Burdened heredity has become a significant factor negatively affecting public health. Damage to the hereditary material of somatic Cells can lead to a sharp increase in malignant diseases, premature Aging, and a weakening of the body's defense mechanisms. All of this reduces the birth rate and leads to biological regression. Damage to the hereditary material of Germ Cells can cause gradual degeneration and even the extinction of certain populations.

The demographic situation and public health status in Ukraine require immediate state-level measures to protect the human gene pool. By presidential decree, a Comprehensive Targeted Program for Genetic Monitoring (genetic surveillance and control) in Ukraine was approved. One of the most important components of this program is the establishment of a state genetic monitoring service. The goal of genetic monitoring is to analyze the mutagenic state of the environment and monitor mutagenic changes in human populations.

To reduce the risk of mutations: 1) all new chemicals and Pharmaceuticals are screened for mutagenicity; 2) antimutagens are applied. Antimutagens are factors that reduce the mutation frequency. They either neutralize the mutagen before it interacts with the DNA molecule or repair DNA Damage caused by the mutagen. Antimutagenic properties are exhibited by Vitamins, glutamine, serotonin, reserpine, as well as certain physical factors (daylight).