The aim of this study was to assess public attitudes toward the promotion of genomic studies related to medicine and to examine the relationship between public attitudes and the level of genomic literacy by analyzing data from a nationwide opinion survey. The participants comprised 4,000 people (age, 20-69) selected from the Japanese general population by using the two-step stratified random sampling method. They were queried on the following topics in a mail survey: (1) pros and cons of the promotion of genomic studies related to medicine, (2) level of scientific literacy in genomics, (3) demographic and socioeconomic background, and (4) knowledge and attitudes toward science in general and genetic testing in particular. We examined the relationship between the approval of promotion and literacy level, using logistic regression models stratified by gender. Our results showed the response rate was 54.3% (2,171/4,000), and 69.4% participants favored the promotion of genomic studies related to medicine. Only 1.3% participants expressed a negative attitude. Multivariate analysis revealed that approval of promotion was related to a high literacy score. This relationship was stronger in males than in females (the highest quartile of score vs. the lowest: adjusted odds ratio, 3.36 for males and 1.86 for females; 95% confidence interval, 1.88-5.98 for males and 1.17-2.95 for females). We determined that a majority of the Japanese participants currently approved of the promotion of genomic studies related to medicine and that people with a high level of genomic literacy tended to approve the promotion.
This study aimed to assess public attitudes in Japan to the promotion of genomic selection in crop studies and to examine associated factors. We analysed data from a nationwide opinion survey. A total of 4,000 people were selected from the Japanese general population by a stratified two-phase sampling method, and 2,171 people participated by post; this survey asked about the pros and cons of crop-related genomic studies promotion, examined people's scientific literacy in genomics, and investigated factors thought to be related to genomic literacy and attitude. The relationships were examined using logistic regression models stratified by gender. Survey results showed that 50.0% of respondents approved of the promotion of crop-related genomic studies, while 6.7% disapproved. No correlation was found between literacy and attitude towards promotion. Trust in experts, belief in science, an interest in genomic studies and willingness to purchase new products correlated with a positive attitude towards crop-related genomic studies.
Background: When children are considered for research participation, international guidelines suggest that they should provide assent in addition to the consent of their parents or legally authorised representatives. Guidelines indicate that the assent-capable age of children, as a reference, is above seven years. However, previous studies that have clarified the appropriate age for assent are unavailable in Japan. If it can be shown that children under the age of seven have capacity for assent, it will clarify that assent is possible above the age of seven years. Therefore, we aimed to develop an instrument to assess children’s capacity for assent among four- to six-year-olds and research their capacity for studies with no invasion or intervention. Methods: To develop the instrument, we referenced a semi-structured interview instrument for assessing decision-making capacity to consent to participation in human subject research. Our instrument is composed of three sections based on 10 question items. Each answer is scored 0–2, and the total score is in the range of 0–20. Assent information was modified to be understood by four-year-olds in Japanese. To examine an instrument and to assess children’s capacity for assent, we conducted a study with 68 participants, aged to four to six years. The scores were analysed using a factor analysis, reliability analysis, one-way analysis of variance, t-test, and χ2 test.Results: The average age of participants was 5.4 years, the average interview time was 9.6 min, and the average scale score (range 0–20) was 14.4±3.8 points in total. Results showed a significant difference between four-year-olds and five-year-olds in the scale scores of assent capacity, largely attributable to differences in understanding and appreciation. Conclusions: The reliability and validity of this scale was indicated as sufficient. For studies with no invasion or intervention, five-year-olds may have the capacity for assent if provided adequate information about the research, tailored to their level of maturity with a child-friendly assent process. However, it cannot be stated that five to six-year-olds fully understand the significance of participating in a study that includes potential benefits for someone other than themselves. Future research may consider comparing six and seven-year-olds or older children.
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