Deriving Lay Models of Uncertainty About Genes' Role in Illness Causation to Guide Communication About Human Genetics |
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| Authors: | Roxanne Parrott Kami Silk Judith Weiner Celeste Condit Tina Harris Jay Bernhardt |
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| Affiliation: | Roxanne Parrott (PhD, University of Arizona) is a professor and Judith Weiner (MA, Kent State University) is a graduate student and teaching assistant in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences at Pennsylvania State University.;Kami Silk (PhD, University of Georgia) is an assistant professor at Michigan State University.;Celeste Condit (PhD, University of Iowa) is a professor and Tina Harris (PhD, University of Kentucky) is an assistant professor in the Department of Speech Communication at the University of Georgia.;Jay Bernhardt (PhD, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) is an assistant professor at Emory University |
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| 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. |
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