Reading Your Genome
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Background Health Literacy has become an important issue area during the past decades, both in the academic and public dialogue. At the same time, new possibilities in the emerging field of personal genomics and the interpretation of health-related genetic information create seemingly extraordinary benefits and - for some - underestimated risks and disadvantages of epic proportions. The main purpose of this exploratory research is to systematically summarise and discuss the most fundamental scientific literature on health literacy and personal genomics, to illustrate the most important frameworks, academic mindsets and driving developments in both clinical and commercial direct-to-consumer genetic testing and finally, to conduct an empirical study associated with the constructed hypothesis, asking for the attitude towards genetic testing and the willingness to undergo such a procedure of individuals with either well-marked health literacy or a lack of such skills. In order to accomplish two things at once this thesis is dedicated to serve as an educational overview for all interested parties, both academic and non- professional. Results Empirically aggregated qualitative data suggests a wide array of varying attitudes and opinions towards health-related, preventive genetic testing, ranging from highly enthusiastic and curiosity-driven affirmation to a more critical and cautious mindset. A first quantitative cluster analysis of the aggregated data shows a quite affirmative outlook in relation to health-related application of personal genomics. However, methodological shortcomings in the study design and possibly biased survey results suggest that further research is needed. Please note that this thesis should be thought of and read as a primer , presenting the main concepts and developments behind health literacy and personal genomics, discussing the most important issues related to both topics and analysing the empirical data aggregated during the scientific process. At the same time it however does raise no claim to completeness on a topic as controversial and complex as the existing
Source: The Winnower
Author: Edin Sasic
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1776574519