take the form of studies of genetic backgrounds, for example, in the risk assessment, which is termed opra, and you perhaps will hear more about that in the second panel, individuals have been studied in a pro peck active manner and a number of genes of interest have been identified with those that associate with pain, and they give you clues as to who might be particularly very well they arable -- vulnerable. and another gene has been discovered that seems to be protective of people from chronic back pain after back surgery. this gives you insights as to who may be more or less vulnerable to these painful conditions. another option is to disect the path ways and in doing so, identify new targets that would allow you to intervene, to reduce or eliminate the progression from an acute situation to a more chronic one. so, for example, scientists have identified several specific molecules from the omega-3 fatty acids, they are able to reduce pain associated with inflammation, which you know is now generally treated with opiods or inhibitors. finally, there are a series of studies that are ongo