Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America.
PLoS One. 2022 Jan 7;17(1):e0261694. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261694. eCollection 2022.
Mars Petcare introduced the first direct-to-consumer domestic dog genetic test in 2009 and Basepaws introduced the first direct-to-consumer cat genetic test in 2016. Social science research has evaluated numerous aspects of the human direct-to-consumer market, yet no such exploration has evaluated the occurrence of pet owners pursuing pet genetic tests. Using a mixed methods approach, we conducted an exploratory content analysis of direct-to-consumer pet genetic company webpages and consumer reviews shared on Amazon. Initial data reviews indicated some companies may be key industry players, relative to others. Our results present content frequency for each group (key industry players, all other companies), though the primary themes for each remained the same. Analysis showed genetic companies are primarily sharing product and purchasing information, along with trustworthiness to establish the merit of the company and their products. Companies also used statements directed towards pet owners that are suggestive of both pets and "pet parents" benefiting from the test results. The primary themes identified in consumer reviews involved consumers sharing their perception about the tests (e.g., accuracy), what aspects of the test results they focused on (e.g., breed information), and experiences with using the test (e.g., ease of use). Amazon reviews were primarily positive, though the companies with smaller review numbers had higher percentages of negative and ambiguous sentiments. Of interest, reviews most often indicated tests were being used to determine a pet's breed identity, while companies most frequently promoted the health advantages of using their products. Reviews revealed some consumers respond to tests by sharing their pet's results with someone or by altering their pet's care. Considering these results in addition to the growing popularity of this industry and the advancements of genomic technology, further research is needed to determine the role pet genetic testing may have in society and on human-animal relationships.
玛氏宠物保健公司于 2009 年推出了首款面向消费者的犬类基因检测产品，Basepaws 公司于 2016 年推出了首款面向消费者的猫类基因检测产品。社会科学研究已经评估了人类直接面向消费者市场的众多方面，但尚未有研究评估宠物主人进行宠物基因检测的情况。本研究采用混合方法，对直接面向消费者的宠物基因检测公司网页和亚马逊上分享的消费者评论进行了探索性内容分析。初步数据审查表明，与其他公司相比，一些公司可能是该行业的主要参与者。我们的研究结果呈现了每个组（主要参与者、其他所有公司）的内容频率，但每个组的主要主题保持不变。分析表明，基因检测公司主要分享产品和购买信息，以及可信度，以建立公司及其产品的价值。公司还使用针对宠物主人的声明，暗示宠物和“宠物父母”都能从测试结果中受益。消费者评论中确定的主要主题包括消费者对测试的看法（例如准确性）、他们关注测试结果的哪些方面（例如品种信息）以及使用测试的体验（例如易用性）。亚马逊评论主要是正面的，但评论数量较少的公司的负面和模棱两可的评价比例较高。有趣的是，评论大多表明测试用于确定宠物的品种身份，而公司则经常宣传使用其产品的健康优势。评论显示，一些消费者通过与他人分享宠物的测试结果或改变宠物的护理方式来回应测试。考虑到这些结果以及该行业的日益普及和基因组技术的进步，需要进一步研究确定宠物基因检测在社会和人类-动物关系中可能扮演的角色。
