Austin Jehannine C, Smith Geoffrey N, Honer William G
Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Complex Disorders, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2006 Dec 5;141B(8):926-8. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30372.
As a result of publicity surrounding genetic advances, increasing public awareness of a genetic role in major mental illness may be contributing to a "geneticization" of these illnesses. Geneticization could lead to oversimplified ideas about genetic risk, producing significant social consequences. We sought to investigate perceptions of genetic risk, associated effects on reproductive decisions and attitudes towards genetic testing amongst unaffected relatives of individuals with psychosis. A web-based survey design was used, which all visitors to a psychosis support/information website had the option to complete. Responders were representative of website visitors, and the study design facilitated collection of a large dataset, although the response rate was low. Over-estimating risk was associated with reproductive decisions favoring fewer children, and more positive attitudes towards genetic testing. Facilitating accurate risk perception through genetic counseling could significantly impact reproductive decisions, and the appropriate use of genetic tests in the future.
由于围绕基因进展的宣传，公众对主要精神疾病中基因作用的认识不断提高，这可能导致这些疾病被“基因化”。基因化可能导致对基因风险的过度简化观念，产生重大的社会后果。我们试图调查精神病患者未受影响亲属对基因风险的认知、对生殖决策的相关影响以及对基因检测的态度。采用了基于网络的调查设计，精神病支持/信息网站的所有访客都可以选择完成该调查。尽管回复率较低，但受访者代表了网站访客，并且该研究设计有助于收集大量数据集。高估风险与倾向于少生孩子的生殖决策以及对基因检测更积极的态度相关。通过遗传咨询促进准确的风险认知可能会对未来的生殖决策和基因检测的合理使用产生重大影响。
