Deriving Lay Models of Uncertainty About Genes' Role in Illness Causation to Guide Communication About Human Genetics

Abstract

Advances in clinical genetics and biotechnology increase the ability to identify individual genetic makeup through genetic services and testing. As a result, genes have become the focus of an increasing number of health messages associated with medical interaction and public communication. This research explored public perceptions (N = 858) of the role of genes in health using problematic integration (PI) theory as a framework. A Genetic Relativism Instrument (GRI) associated with macroframeworks about illness causation was developed and used to cluster individuals into 4 groups associated with communicating about genes and health.Uncertainty about the role of personal behaviors, social environments, and religious faith on genes' impact for human health varied significantly among the four groups. In this age of increased use of genetic technologies, communication regarding human genetics in counseling and health promotion may contribute to better informed decision making if tailored to these varied belief systems.

Exploring Relationships Among Belief in Genetic Determinism, Genetics Knowledge, and Social Factors

“…Hence, here we could establish a possible link between religious beliefs, genetic deterministic beliefs, and knowledge in genetics. These results support the importance of religiosity for the formation of genetic deterministic beliefs, as suggested by Parrott et al (2004). The sample of this group was very small, including only 37 participants, making it more difficult to find statistically significant effects.…”

“…Religiosity is of interest in this study since effects from this factor have been shown to influence peoples' beliefs regarding individual traits. Parrott et al (2004) found that some people believe God plays an important role in how genes are expressed and impact health. This is consistent, as we argued previously, with fatalistic thinking in a number of religions (Young et al 2011).…”

“…In contrast, students or family members who have tested positive for certain genetic markers, but have not developed the particular disease or trait, might think less deterministically about genetics. Finally, we included an item about participants' religiosity, as other empirical studies have suggested this is an important factor related to fatalism and genetic deterministic beliefs (i.e., Castéra and Clément 2014;Parrott et al 2004). …”

“…Moreover, in contrast to knowledge, social factors such as socioeconomic status and religiosity have also been suggested in the literature as potentially related to the formation of genetic deterministic beliefs (Nelkin and Lindee 2004;Parrott et al 2004;Shostak et al 2009).…”

Public culture and public understanding of genetics: a focus group study

“…Transcripts were not corrected for grammar or for formality in order to capture the oral nature of the discussion. Specific questions asked by the moderators have been reported on elsewhere (see, for example, Condit et al, 2002bCondit et al, , 2003Dorgan et al, 2003;Parrott et al, 2003Parrott et al, , 2004Bates et al, 2003;Bevan et al, 2003). In this study, I took a more global view of the data.…”