Journal
JOURNAL OF GENETIC COUNSELING
Volume 21, Issue 3, Pages 433-439Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10897-011-9474-6
Keywords
Direct-to-consumer; Genetic testing; Internet; Informed choice; Persuasion; Content analysis
Funding
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health
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An informed choice about health-related direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) requires knowledge of potential benefits, risks, and limitations. To understand the information that potential consumers of DTCGT services are exposed to on company websites, we conducted a content analysis of 23 health-related DTCGT websites. Results revealed that benefit statements outweighed risk and limitation statements 6 to 1. The most frequently described benefits were: 1) disease prevention, 2) consumer education, 3) personalized medical recommendations, and 4) the ability to make health decisions. Thirty-five percent of websites also presented at least one risk of testing. Seventy-eight percent of websites mentioned at least one limitation of testing. Based on this information, potential consumers might get an inaccurate picture of genetic testing which could impact their ability to make an informed decision. Practices that enhance the presentation of balanced information on DTCGT company websites should be encouraged.
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