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The News Media as an Avenue for Informing the Public About Genetic Testing: What Messages Are Being Communicated?

E.K. Reed ^(1,2), C. Prue ⁽³⁾, and I.M. Lubin ⁽¹⁾

Division of Laboratory Systems, Public Health Practice Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia ⁽¹⁾,
Association of Schools of Public Health, Washington, DC ⁽²⁾,
Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia ⁽³⁾

The media plays an important role in influencing consumer choices. Media reports about genetic testing influence public perceptions of the benefits and limitations of genetic testing to which health care professionals ultimately respond. We report an analysis of news media designed to determine what general themes and specific messages are being communicated to the public about genetic testing. In this study, newspaper articles from seven major U.S. papers were collected from August 2000-December 2002 and evaluated.

In general, the media reports were well written and accurate. Nonetheless, we noted some repeated themes and general trends in the messages being conveyed that may lead to misconceptions. Articles typically portray either enthusiasm for gene discovery or trepidation about the possible ethical, legal, or societal implications of genetic testing, but do not blend those two perspectives.

In discussing the potential of gene discoveries and genetic studies, clinical benefits are often implied to be in the near future when, in fact, benefits may not be realized for years. Similarly, the challenges inherent in translating research findings to clinical application are either not discussed or overly simplified. Key to maintaining quality services is having an informed clinical and public health workforce that understands the issues and can respond to the publics increasing awareness of genetic testing and new discoveries as portrayed through the media. This may be accomplished by cooperation among scientists, health care professionals and the media.