Information for Dieticians


Nutrigenomics and dietetic practice
Nutrigenomics is expected to take nutrition-related practice to a new level. What will such a practice look like for the nutrigenomics practitioner? 
By Ruth M. DeBusk, Geneticist and Registered Dietitian, Private Practice, USA... read more


Dieticians current knowledge, expectations and concerns towards nutrigenomics
In 2006, NuGO Work Package Communications carried out a needs assessment among dieticians in Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. 108 dieticians were interviewed about their current knowledge, expectations and concerns towards nutrigenomics. Click on the country or the links below to read more:

- Polish dieticians: Genetic testing is relevant for dietetic practice

- Sweden: Dietetic Organisation; dieticians should be more involved in the development process of nutrigenomics

- English dieticians: Concerned about reaction of clients to genetic testing

- Dutch dieticians: Low awareness and knowledge about nutrigenomics

Dieticians major concerns about applying nutrigenomics results in dieticians practice:

- Uncertainties in evidence; according to dieticians, sufficient scientific evidence is a prerequisite to give personal nutrition advise based on information on a client's genes. 
What's the current state of evidence?

- Clients' reactions; dieticians pose questions wonder whether clients want gene-tests and fear that clients might respond in a fatalistic way to test-outcomes. 
How will my clients react?

- Social-ethical consequences; dieticians expect gene-tests to be expensive. They fear misuse of gene-test information by e.g. life-insurances or employers. Dieticians are concerned about genetics tests, personal advise and accompanying products that are offered by industry without being based on adequate scientific evidence.
What’s the state of evidence of current genetic services offered by industry?
Bioethical guidelines by NuGO
Ethical concerns of the Food Ethics Council about personalized nutrition

Continuing education and resources for nutrition-related practice
Various articles and dietetic journals, options for continuing education for dieticians, and links to professional dieticians organizations world wide… click here 

The European Nutrigenomics Organisation has developed several eLearning courses, eg: Polymorphisms and Responsiveness to Diet, Molecular Nutrition and Genomics... read more


Questions
If you haven't been able to find an answer to your question and/or you have a question you would like to be answered by nutrigenomics researchers, please contact Dr Sian Astley  by email: sian.astley@bbsrc.ac.uk