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Media Coverage of Direct‐to‐Consumer Genetic Testing
Author(s) -
Lynch John,
Parrott Ashley,
Hopkin Robert J.,
Myers Melanie
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1007/s10897-011-9374-9
Subject(s) - genetic testing , harm , genetic discrimination , test (biology) , genetic counseling , public health , psychology , medicine , social psychology , actuarial science , business , genetics , biology , pathology , paleontology
Media coverage of Direct‐to‐Consumer (DTC) genetic testing shapes public perception of such testing. The purpose of this study was to determine and assess the themes presented by U.S. news media regarding DTC genetic testing. We performed a Lexis‐Nexis search with the keywords “Direct‐to‐Consumer” and “genetic test” for news stories published from 2006–2009. The sample was coded on themes of genetic determinism, privacy, discrimination, validity, regulation, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), utility, and cost. Ninety‐two news stories were included. Stories displayed moderate genetic determinism and were neutral about validity and utility. Stories indicated that insurance and employers were the most likely sources of discrimination, yet identified the physicians and DTC companies as groups most likely to violate privacy. Stories claimed lack of regulation would harm consumers, but most post‐GINA stories did not discuss the law. The costs of tests were frequently included. The results of this study show a broad range of views toward DTC genetic testing and its potential impacts. The genetics community should be aware that the public has been exposed to multiple views of DTC genetic testing when discussing these tests.