Assessing the influence of a genetic characteristic on disease in the presence of a strong environmental etiology.
An inference as to the possible causal role of a genetic characteristic in the development of a disease is strengthened when there is a large disparity in disease incidence between persons with and without that characteristic. If the disparity is particularly great when, based on the presence or absence of a strong environmental risk factor, we would predict it to be so, then a causal inference is further strengthened. Only analyses that focus on the gene-disease association, conditional on the environmental factor, directly bear on the etiologic role of the genetic characteristic.
Weiss
Noel S
NS
Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. nweiss@u.washington.edu
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004194:Disease / Q000209:etiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004782:Environmental Health; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors