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The future of hormesis: where do we go from here?
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA. edwardc@schoolph.umass.edu
Critical Reviews in Toxicology
|August 16, 2001
Summary
Hormesis, a U-shaped dose-response, is increasingly supported by reliable studies across various species and agents. This article examines the challenges and impediments to its scientific acceptance and societal use.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Biomedical Science
Background:
- Hormesis, or U-shaped dose responses, has been known for over a century.
- Historically, hormetic effects were often dismissed due to perceived study design flaws and natural variability.
- Recent evidence confirms the reliability and generalizability of hormetic effects across diverse biological systems and chemical agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the scientific foundations and validity of hormesis.
- To identify challenges in the experimental and institutional assessment of hormesis.
- To examine impediments to the societal acceptance and application of hormesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies demonstrating hormetic effects.
- Analysis of historical and current scientific discourse on hormesis.
- Exploration of institutional and societal barriers to hormesis acceptance.
Main Results:
- Numerous high-quality studies validate hormetic effects.
- Hormesis is observed across various species, endpoints, and agent classes.
- Significant experimental and institutional challenges hinder hormesis acceptance.
Conclusions:
- Hormesis is a scientifically valid phenomenon with broad implications.
- Overcoming historical skepticism and institutional inertia is crucial for hormesis integration.
- Further research and open discussion are needed to fully understand and utilize hormetic effects.