C-B3-04: Media Analysis of Genetic Testing Information for Common Disease Presented to the Public

• Published in: Clinical medicine & research 2010-03, Vol.8 (1), p.50-50
• Main Author: Rahm, A. K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: SELECTED ABSTRACTS - HMORN 2009: Genetics
• ISSN: 1539-4182; 1554-6179
• DOI: 10.3121/cmr.8.1.50-b

Background/Aims: With the advent of personalized medicine, consumers are routinely exposed to information and direct- to- consumer (DTC) advertising of various genetic tests. Specifically, 2007–2008 saw a return of the DTC advertisement for BRACAnalysis® in the eastern US, and the advent of three new companies offering DTC genetic screening for under $1000. This abstract presents the results of a media analysis for information presented to the general public on genetic testing for common diseases, such as cancer or heart disease, or for full genome scans for disease risk in general. Methods: Lexis Nexis search was conducted using the broad term genetic testing. The search was limited to all major world publications, news wire services, TV and radio transcripts, blogs, and web publications between the dates of September 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008. The purpose was to assess information presented to the lay public; therefore, scientific literature was not searched. These media reports were examined for number of reports, report type (print, television, online), target audience, polarity of information (positive for genetic testing or negative against genetic testing), and test type. Results: One- thousand articles were retrieved from the initial search. Immediately excluded were articles about ancestry testing, diagnostic testing, psychiatric testing, food safety, forensic testing, cloning, and pre-marital genetic testing due to ethnicity or consanguinity. Additional exclusions were made for all areas surrounding prenatal genetic testing, including pre- implantation diagnosis and paternity testing. Stock announcements, hearing testimonies, and reports on non-U.S. companies or from non-U.S. sources were also excluded. This resulted in a total of 173 media reports over the one year time period to which the lay public was exposed. These 173 reports were analyzed further for specific information presented. Conclusions: Over a one year period, consumers are routinely exposed to information about genetics through the media. These reports span all methods of media delivery and vary in polarity.