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. 2013 May;161A(5):1064-72.
doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.35914.

Attitudes of African Americans toward return of results from exome and whole genome sequencing

Joon-Ho Yu  1 , Julia Crouch, Seema M Jamal, Holly K Tabor, Michael J Bamshad
Affiliations

Attitudes of African Americans toward return of results from exome and whole genome sequencing

Joon-Ho Yu et al. Am J Med Genet A. 2013 May.

Abstract

Exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing (ES/WGS) present patients and research participants with the opportunity to benefit from a broad scope of genetic results of clinical and personal utility. Yet, this potential for benefit also risks disenfranchising populations such as African Americans (AAs) that are already underrepresented in genetic research and utilize genetic tests at lower rates than other populations. Understanding a diverse range of perspectives on consenting for ES/WGS and receiving ES/WGS results is necessary to ensure parity in genomic health care and research. We conducted a series of 13 focus groups (n = 76) to investigate if and how attitudes toward participation in ES/WGS research and return of results from ES/WGS differ between self-described AAs and non-AAs. The majority of both AAs and non-AAs were willing to participate in WGS studies and receive individual genetic results, but the fraction not interested in either was higher in AAs. This is due in part to different expectations of health benefits from ES/WGS and how results should be managed. Our results underscore the need to develop and test culturally tailored strategies for returning ES/WGS results to AAs.

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Conflict of interest statement

We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Willingness to Participate and Interest in Receiving Results
A. Participants’ willingness to participate in a WGS study B. Participants’ interest in receiving individual genetic results
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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