Authors

  1. Kauwell, Gail P. A. PhD, RD, LDN

Abstract

Dietetics practitioners are at a pivotal point in the history of their practice. Armed with the findings of the Human Genome Project and related research, dietetics practitioners will have the potential to implement more efficient and effective nutrition intervention strategies aimed at preventing and delaying the progression of common chronic diseases. This potential will be realized only if dietetics practitioners and educators make a concerted effort to pursue genetics-related education and incorporate a genomic approach toward curriculum development and practice. Suggestions for ways to incorporate genetics into dietetics curricula and examples of how and why nutrition practice will be affected by the genetic revolution are offered in this article.