Susanne B. Haga|William T. Barry|Rachel Mills|Geoffrey S. Ginsburg|Laura P. Svetkey|Jennifer A. Sullivan|Huntington F. Willard
Public Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Genetics and Genetic Testing
Duke University|Duke University|Duke University|Duke University|Duke University|Duke University|Duke University
variable health literacy genetic knowledge may pose significant challenges engaging general public personal genomics specifically respect promoting risk comprehension healthy behaviorswe conducting multistage study individual responses genomic risk information type 2 diabetes mellitus total 300 individuals recruited general public durham north carolina 60 selfidentified white 70 female 65 college degree part baseline survey assessed genetic knowledge attitudes toward genetic testingscores factual knowledge genetics ranged 50 100 average84 significant differences relation racial groups education level age scores significantly higher questions pertaining inheritance causes disease mean score 90 compared scientific questions mean score 774 scores knowledge survey significantly higher scores european populations participants perceived knowledge social consequences genetic testing significantly lower perceived knowledge medical uses testing half agreed statement testing may affect persons ability obtain health insurance 513 16 worried consequences testing chances finding jobdespite relatively high educational status genetic knowledge study population find imbalance knowledge scientific medical concepts related genetics well medical applications societal consequences testing suggesting effort needed present benefits risks limitations genetic testing particularly social personal levels ensure informed decision making