Online Program

325208
On the Potential Use of Genomics for Family Health History Information: Views of Adult Adoptees


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 11:10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Kaija Zusevics, PhD, MPH, CHES, Center for Urban Population Health, Wauwatosa, WI
Thomas May, Ph.D., Institute for Health and Society, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Kimberly Strong, PhD, Program in Genomics and Ethics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Alison La Pean Kirschner, MS, CGC, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Jessica Jeruzal, Program in Genomics and Ethics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Samantha Wilson, PhD, Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Michael McCauley, PhD, Program in Genomics and Ethics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Carmen Knight, MS MFT, The Cradle, Evanston, IL
Family health history is widely used to inform health prevention initiatives.  Adoptees represent one group who often lack access to this information, which may limit their opportunity to engage in actions that could improve health in the short and long term. Genomic testing may offer a tool that could provide information for those lacking health history.  Problematically, it is not known what the adoption community thinks about the lack of family history and the ways in which genomics might fill that gap. Using principles of Community Based Participatory Research, our study sought to document such perspectives.  Three focus groups were held in the Milwaukee Metro Area; 12 adult international and domestic adoptees participated (2 male, 10 female) representing 5 countries of origin (U.S., China, Korea, Chile, Peru).  We analyzed the transcripts using thematic content analysis.   Participant comments highlighted many aspects to consider related to genomics and family health history in the context of adoption, specifically: 1) the trustworthiness and use of genomic findings for reproductive and health decision-making; 2) protection from misuse and abuse of genomic data; and 3) confidence in the research study (with particular attention to whether the research was guided by individuals with personal connections to adoption).  Findings suggest a need to ensure reliability of genomic data; reinforce the call for proper security of data and oversight of the ways it is being used; and point to the potential value of including researchers who are a part of the community under study.

Learning Areas:

Ethics, professional and legal requirements
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe international and domestic adoptees perspectives on the use of genomic sequencing to provide family health history information.

Keyword(s): Genetics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was part of the development and implementation of this study, conducted several of the focus groups with my co-authors, and analyzed the data that will be presented.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.