Release
Date: May 3, 2013
Response
Date: June 28, 2013
RFA-ES-12-006
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) is an interagency program, established in 1978 (43 FR 53060) and headquartered at the NIEHS, whose mission is to evaluate agents of public health concern by developing and applying tools of modern toxicology and molecular biology. The NTP carries out literature analysis activities in the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) and the Office of the Reports on Carcinogens within the Division of the NTP. The NTP also designs and conducts laboratory studies and testing programs and analyzes its findings to assess potential hazards to human health from exposure to environmental substances.
OHAT was established to serve as an environmental health resource to the public and to regulatory and health agencies. This office conducts evaluations to assess the evidence that environmental chemicals, physical substances, or mixtures (collectively referred to as "substances") cause adverse health effects and provides opinions on whether these substances may be of concern given what is known about current human exposure levels. OHAT also organizes workshops or state-of-the-science evaluations to address issues of importance in environmental health sciences. OHAT assessments are published as NTP Monographs. Information about OHAT is found at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/ohat .
There is a large body of evidence indicating that early life
exposures can lead to disease outcomes later in life. The effects of
these exposures are thought to be limited to the exposed generation, such that
subsequent generations are unaffected by the exposure history of their parents
and grandparents. However, recent reports have suggested
that this may
not be the case, and that adverse outcomes may be carried over to multiple
unexposed generations. This phenomenon is known as transgenerational
inheritance. If the effects of exposure can indeed be transmitted to
subsequent generations, this would have major public health implications. It is
critical to determine how widespread and robust this phenomenon is, the factors
that influence it, the mechanism by which it occurs, and the range of possible
phenotypic outcomes (see RFA-ES-12-006).
To assist with this effort, OHAT is initiating one or more evaluations using
systematic review methodology to examine the state of the science for
transgenerational inheritance of health effects associated with exposure to a
wide range of stressors (e.g., environmental chemicals, drugs of abuse,
nutrition and diet, pharmaceuticals, infectious agents, or stress).
The specific scope of the evaluation will be determined following a phase of exploratory screening of the literature and consideration of responses to this Request for Information (RFI).
A document outlining the proposed approach to conduct the exploratory screening is available at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/38656. OHAT requests information on the proposed approach for conducting the exploratory screening of the literature and the identification of scientists with knowledge or expertise relevant to this topic. Specifically, this information will help to (1) refine the proposed literature search strategy and criteria used to conduct the exploratory screening; (2) identify potential areas of focus for the systematic review(s); (3) identify unpublished, ongoing, or planned studies related to transgenerational inheritance; and (4) identify scientists with expertise or knowledge relative to this topic.
The deadline for receipt of information and comments is June 28, 2013 and should be submitted electronically using the web-based form available at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/38656 .
Responses are requested from all interested parties, such as the research community, health professionals, educators, policy makers, industry, and the public. Responses to this RFI are voluntary. OHAT does not intend to publish a summary of responses received or any other information provided, except very broad characterizations. Despite this, proprietary, classified, or confidential information should not be included in the response. This RFI is for planning purposes only and is not a solicitation for applications or an obligation on the part of the U.S. Government to provide support for any ideas identified in response to it. Please note that the U.S. Government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for its use of that information.
Future updates on this project will be posted at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/38159. Individuals interested in receiving updates on this project are encouraged to register to the NTP Listserv (http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/getnews).
Please direct all inquiries to:
Vickie R. Walker
Health Scientist
Office of Health Assessment and Translation
Division of the National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
111 TW Alexander Dr., PO Box 12233
MD: K2-04, Durham, NC 27709
Phone: (919) 541-4514
Email: vickie.walker@nih.gov
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/ohat
and Human Services (HHS)
