Who’s afraid of genetic tests?: An assessment of Singapore’s public attitudes and changes in attitudes after taking a genetic test

Abstract

Background As a consequence of precision medicine initiatives, genomic technologies have rapidly spread around the world, raising questions about genetic privacy and the ethics of data sharing. Previous scholarship in bioethics and science and technology studies has made clear that different nations have varying expectations about trust, transparency, and public reason in relation to emerging technologies and their governance. The key aims of this article are to assess genetic literacy, perceptions of genetic testing, privacy concerns, and governing norms amongst the Singapore population by collecting surveys. Methods This study investigated genetic literacy and broad public attitudes toward genetic tests in Singapore with an online public survey (n = 560). To assess potential changes in attitudes following receipt of results from a genetic test, we also surveyed undergraduate students who underwent a genetic screen as part of a university class before and after they received their test results (n = 25). Results Public participants showed broad support for the use of genetic tests; scored an average of 48.9% in genetic literacy; and expressed privacy concerns over data sharing and a desire for control over their genetic data. After taking a genetic test and receiving genetic test results, students reported less fear of genetic tests while other attitudes did not change significantly. Conclusion These findings highlight the potential of genetic education and active engagement with genetic testing to increase support and participation in genomic projects, PM, and biobanking initiatives; and they suggest that data privacy protections could potentially reduce discrimination by giving participants control over who can access their data. More specifically, these findings and the dataset we provide may be helpful in formulating culturally sensitive education programs and regulations concerning genomic technologies and data privacy.

“It Will Lead You to Make Better Decisions about Your Health”—A Focus Group and Survey Study on Women’s Attitudes towards Risk-Based Breast Cancer Screening and Personalised Risk Assessments

“…Our focus groups found participants to be generally keen on the introduction of risk-based breast cancer screening that includes genetic tests. Genomic technology has quickly proliferated around the world as a result of precision medicine programs, prompting concerns about genetic privacy and the ethics of data sharing [ 48 ]. It has been shown via previous research in bioethics and science and technology studies that different countries have distinct expectations regarding trust, openness, and public reason in connection to developing technologies and their administration [ 48 ].…”

“…Genomic technology has quickly proliferated around the world as a result of precision medicine programs, prompting concerns about genetic privacy and the ethics of data sharing [ 48 ]. It has been shown via previous research in bioethics and science and technology studies that different countries have distinct expectations regarding trust, openness, and public reason in connection to developing technologies and their administration [ 48 ]. It is thus critical to recognise the diversity of our Singaporean population in terms of acculturation, education, health knowledge, and cultural values to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate care.…”

“…It is thus critical to recognise the diversity of our Singaporean population in terms of acculturation, education, health knowledge, and cultural values to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate care. In Singapore, it was revealed in an online public survey ( n = 560) that there is broad support for the use of genetic tests [ 48 ]. The actual experience of going through a genetic screen alleviated the fear of genomic technologies.…”

“…The authors concluded that genetic education and exposure to genetic testing will help to garner support for genomic projects, precision medicine, and biobanking activities. Another study by Cheung et al showed that the Singaporean population is moderately genetically literate but there are widespread privacy concerns over data sharing and regulation [ 48 ]. Nonetheless, their data demonstrates broad acceptance for the use of genetic testing in Singapore [ 48 ].…”

“…Another study by Cheung et al showed that the Singaporean population is moderately genetically literate but there are widespread privacy concerns over data sharing and regulation [ 48 ]. Nonetheless, their data demonstrates broad acceptance for the use of genetic testing in Singapore [ 48 ]. However, there remain valid concerns that should be considered when deciding how to deliver the risk report and follow-up.…”