Variation in Individual Response — Will it Really Affect the Regulatory Response?

Abstract

The question this paper addresses is whether knowledge of variation of individual human response to toxicants introduces elements into the regulatory process that, in some sense, are radically different, thereby forcing major changes into the regulatory process. In this paper I will examine the regulatory process as I perceive it, i.e., the views presented here do not bear the nihil obstat or imprimatur of any agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government. The views will also perforce reflect the fact that virtually all the regulatory processes I have observed have been those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However I hope by examining the workings of the regulatory process to see where and to what extent information on individual response will effect the regulatory process.