Consent for genetic research in a general population: the NHANES experience.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the sociodemographic factors associated with consent for storage of DNA for future genetic research.


METHODS
Analysis of the characteristics of consenting individuals participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative survey of the US household population.


RESULTS
In 1999, 84% (95% confidence interval 82.4-85.6) of eligible participants consented to have their blood samples included in a national repository for genetic research. In 2000, 85.3% (95% confidence interval 84.0-86.6) consented. Females and black participants in both years were least likely to consent (1999, 82.2% and 73.2%; 2000, 83.6% and 81.3%, respectively). An assessment by logistic regression demonstrated that in both years only non-Hispanic black race/ethnicity was a significant independent predictor for not consenting to future genetic research.


CONCLUSIONS
Although non-Hispanic black individuals have overall response rates similar to those of the other racial/ethnic groups, they are less likely to agree to have a blood sample saved for future genetic research. In balance, however, these findings demonstrate wide acceptance among survey participants for allowing storage of specimens for future genetic research across many demographic variables.
McQuillan
Geraldine M
GM
Division of Health Examination Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782, USA.
Porter
Kathryn S
KS
Agelli
Maria
M
Kington
Raynard
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D036281:Genetic Research; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D004247:DNA