Genetic susceptibility, family history and prevention
Genetic susceptibility, family history information and disease prevention in public health: type 2 diabetes as an example
Some people are predisposed to common diseases like diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Researchers point to certain genetic variants that form a risk factor for such diseases. They can, for example, determine the genetic susceptibility for diabetes type 2, a disease that is more and more common due to overweight and little exercise. The predictive value of commercial genetic tests for these kinds of so-called multifactorial diseases is, however, very low. The providers of such tests claim that people will adopt a healthier lifestyle because of the warning results of the test. Others however expect that the tests will lead to fatalism.
To examine whether this is true, family history might be used. In the study of multifactorial diseases, family history as a risk factor has so far not been used or studied. Next to genetic predisposition, family history also brings shared environment and shared behavior into the picture. Research has shown that test results do not lead to fear or fatalism. Some people even have, on the contrary, a stronger sense of control.
Further research, as the case study with diabetes, has to reveal whether people actually do something with the information. Are they for example adapting their lifestyle? And how are genetic tests and family history perceived? What dilemmas do people encounter? The answers will offer valuable information for the discussions on the application of genetic tests that generate risk assessments. The results of this project can assist researchers, policy makers and health providers in making their decisions.