Oral

The general public is now able to genetic information related to health and reproductive risks in ways not previously available, through expanded research and clinical testing opportunities. Genetic information has the potential of providing individuals more information about their specific risk, but there is currently limited information about the type of information people want to receive. This session will explore communities’ interests and preferences for receiving genetic information in research and clinical settings. The return of research results is an issue of much debate currently, in part because there are local and national efforts to develop biobanks, containing DNA samples from large numbers of individuals. One goal of these databases is to identify genetic variants related to common conditions. Whether and how results are returned to participants have implications for recruiting and continued engagement with the research. Presentations in this session explore individuals’ and minority communities’ views on engagement in genetic research and perspectives about the return of results. Genetic testing is becoming more widely available to individuals not directly affected by a genetic condition. Individuals can now be screened for a large panel of genetic conditions that may impact their risk for having an affected child, depending on the genetic status of their partner. This information is ideally obtained prior to pregnancy to help inform reproductive decision-making and, in some populations at high risk for genetic conditions, it is obtained prior to the beginning of a relationship. This session will explore interest in and attitudes of an general population sample in pre-relationship carrier screening.

Session Objectives: •Identify the variables associated with the general public’s interest in having genetic research results returned •Compare different communities’ attitudes towards participating in genetics research •Describe the attitudes towards pre-relationship carrier screening in a general population sample.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)