The association between race and attitudes about predictive genetic testing.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate differences in attitudes about predictive genetic testing for cancer risk between African-American and Caucasian residents of the city of Philadelphia.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of awareness of and attitudes about predictive genetic testing, using an instrument developed through focus groups with the general public, literature review, and expert opinion.


METHODS
Municipal County Courthouse of Philadelphia.


METHODS
Male and female adults waiting to be assigned to jury duty.


RESULTS
Of the 430 respondents, 43% (170) were African-American and 45% (181) Caucasian. Awareness of predictive genetic testing was higher among Caucasians (72%) than African-Americans (49%). After adjustment for age, gender, and educational attainment, African-Americans were more likely to report that the government would use genetic tests to label groups as inferior, and less likely to endorse the potential health benefits of testing, including "help my doctor manage my health care," "help me change my lifestyle," and "help scientists find cures for diseases." These associations remained if the sample was restricted to participants who had heard of genetic testing before the survey.


CONCLUSIONS
In the city of Philadelphia, awareness of and attitudes about predictive genetic testing for cancer risk differ by race, with lower awareness, less belief in the potential benefits of testing, and more concern about racial discrimination from genetic testing among African-Americans than Caucasians. These differences may result in disparities in the uptake of predictive genetic testing in the future.
Department of Medicine and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Nikki
N
Peters
Abigail
A
Rose
Katrina
K
Armstrong
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011287:Prejudice; D011640:Public Policy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*; D001741:Black or African American