What does "a gene for XXXX " mean? A focus group study of public understandings of genetic risk factors.

@entity1 @entity74 @entity299
There is growing concern in the medical community about potential genetic determinism in the @entity1 population. Limited information about the public understanding of genetic factors in disease formation is available. To access public perceptions of potentially deterministic phrasing of genetic risk factors, we sought to establish interpretations of the phrase, "a gene for @entity299 ." Focus groups in urban, suburban, and rural communities were conducted from July through October, 2001 in Georgia. A total of 108 @entity1 were recruited. @entity1 were recruited to balance sex and racial representation. We used three outcome measures for @entity1 understandings of the phrase: (1) @entity1 ' statements of the meaning of the phrase; (2) the level of determinism assigned to genetic factors by @entity1 ; and (3) @entity1 reports of the health consequences of having "a gene for @entity299 ." @entity1 did not report a single interpretation of the phrase. There were dominant @entity1 interpretations under each outcome measure: (1) "a gene for @entity299 " was interpreted as meaning genetic and environmental factors both played roles in disease formation; (2) genetic predisposition was perceived as heightened, not absolute, risk; (3) the perceived health impact was a greater risk of becoming sick. Minority interpretations were found under each measure. Overall, naming "a gene for @entity299 " does not appear to have a deterministic impact on a plurality of @entity1 ' perceptions of risks associated with genetic factors. @entity74 in @entity1 populations may be confined to a sizable minority. Important considerations for provider intervention and @entity1 education are indicated.
