BACKGROUND: The search to identify genes for the susceptibility to alcohol dependence (AD) is generating interest for genetic risk assessment. The purpose of this study is to examine the level of interest and concerns for genetic testing for susceptibility to AD. METHODS: Three hundred four African American adults were recruited through public advertisement. All participants were administered the Genetic Psycho-Social Implication (GPSI) questionnaire, which surveyed their interests in hypothetical genetic testing for AD, as well as their perception of ethical and legal concerns. RESULTS: Over 85% of participants were interested in susceptibility genetic testing; however, persons with higher education (p=0.002) and income (p=0.008) were less willing to receive testing. Perception of AD as a deadly disease (48.60%) and wanting to know for their children (47.90%) were the strongest reasons for interest in testing. Among those not interested in testing, the belief that they were currently acting to lower their risk was the most prevalent. The most widely expressed concern in the entire sample was the accuracy of testing (35.50%). Other notable concerns, such as issues with the method of testing, side effects of venipuncture, falsely reassuring results, and lack of guidelines on "what to do next" following test results, were significantly associated with willingness to receive testing. CONCLUSION: Although an overwhelming majority of participants expressed an interest in genetic testing for AD, there is an understandable high level of methodological and ethical concerns. Such information should form the basis of policies to guide future genetic testing of AD.
BACKGROUND: The search to identify genes for the susceptibility to alcohol dependence (AD) is generating interest for genetic risk assessment. The purpose of this study is to examine the level of interest and concerns for genetic testing for susceptibility to AD. METHODS: Three hundred four African American adults were recruited through public advertisement. All participants were administered the Genetic Psycho-Social Implication (GPSI) questionnaire, which surveyed their interests in hypothetical genetic testing for AD, as well as their perception of ethical and legal concerns. RESULTS: Over 85% of participants were interested in susceptibility genetic testing; however, persons with higher education (p=0.002) and income (p=0.008) were less willing to receive testing. Perception of AD as a deadly disease (48.60%) and wanting to know for their children (47.90%) were the strongest reasons for interest in testing. Among those not interested in testing, the belief that they were currently acting to lower their risk was the most prevalent. The most widely expressed concern in the entire sample was the accuracy of testing (35.50%). Other notable concerns, such as issues with the method of testing, side effects of venipuncture, falsely reassuring results, and lack of guidelines on "what to do next" following test results, were significantly associated with willingness to receive testing. CONCLUSION: Although an overwhelming majority of participants expressed an interest in genetic testing for AD, there is an understandable high level of methodological and ethical concerns. Such information should form the basis of policies to guide future genetic testing of AD.
Authors: Anthony L Hinrichs; Jen C Wang; Bernd Bufe; Jennifer M Kwon; John Budde; Rebecca Allen; Sarah Bertelsen; Whitney Evans; Danielle Dick; John Rice; Tatiana Foroud; John Nurnberger; Jay A Tischfield; Samuel Kuperman; Raymond Crowe; Victor Hesselbrock; Marc Schuckit; Laura Almasy; Bernice Porjesz; Howard J Edenberg; Henri Begleiter; Wolfgang Meyerhof; Laura J Bierut; Alison M Goate Journal: Am J Hum Genet Date: 2005-11-21 Impact factor: 11.025
Authors: A C Heath; K K Bucholz; P A Madden; S H Dinwiddie; W S Slutske; L J Bierut; D J Statham; M P Dunne; J B Whitfield; N G Martin Journal: Psychol Med Date: 1997-11 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: T Sander; H Harms; K P Lesch; P Dufeu; S Kuhn; M Hoehe; H Rommelspacher; L G Schmidt Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 1997-11 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Gloria E Cain; Nnenna Kalu; John Kwagyan; Vanessa J Marshall; Altovise T Ewing; Walter P Bland; Victor Hesselbrock; Robert E Taylor; Denise M Scott Journal: J Racial Ethn Health Disparities Date: 2015-05-16
Authors: Denise M Scott; Veronica G Thomas; Jane Otado; Faun Rockcliffe; Omotomilade Olopoenia; Dietrich Johnson; Shawneequa Callier Journal: J Community Genet Date: 2019-05-06