Participation in Genetic Research: Amazon's Mechanical Turk Workforce in the United States and India.
Genomic research has innumerable benefits. However, if people are unwilling to participate in genomic research, application of knowledge will be limited. This study examined the likelihood of respondents from a high- and a low- to middle-income country to participate in genetic research.



Cross-sectional data were collected using Amazon's Mechanical Turk workforce to ascertain attitudes toward participation in genetic research. Registered country of residence was either the US (n = 505) or India (n = 505). Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess adjusted effects of demographic characteristics, health, social status, beliefs and concerns on 4 genetic research outcomes.



Participants from India who believed chance and powerful others influenced their health were more likely to participate in genetic research (OR = 1.0, 95% CI 1.0-1.1) and to agree with sharing of DNA data (OR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.1-1.2). US participants were more likely to be concerned about protection of family history, which they indicated would affect participation (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 2.1-6.0). Commonalities for the likelihood of participation were beliefs that genetic research could help find new treatments (India OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-5.4; US OR = 4.7, 95% CI 2.0-11.2) and descendants would benefit (India OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.2-5.5; US OR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.3-7.1).



Concurrence of beliefs on benefits and concerns about genetic research suggest they may be common across countries. Consideration of commonalities may be important to increase global participation in genetic research.
University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
Susan W
SW
Groth
Ann
A
Dozier
Margaret
M
Demment
Dongmei
D
Li
I Diana
ID
Fernandez
Jack
J
Chang
Timothy
T
Dye
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D032984:Ethics, Research; D005260:Female; D036281:Genetic Research; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult