Public poll on genetic medicine

In 2006 Nowgen commissioned the national polling organisation, ICM, to carry out a comprehensive survey of UK public attitudes towards genetic medicine. We believed this was an important foundation on which to plan our future activity.

ICM carried out over 1000 phone interviews with a representative sample of people. The survey explored public attitudes towards a range of topics including:

genetic testing
the effect of genes on behaviour, health and complex disease
how personal genetic information might influence changes to lifestyle

Key findings

44% of participants would not consider having a genetic test to see what illnesses they might develop in the future. Of the remaining 56%, 17% would only take the test if the illness could be treated.
69% of participants thought that genes influence health a lot or completely.
40% of participants would not consider having a genetic test to find out if a drug would work for them.

To find out more download the ICM Genetics Poll August 2006

Publication

The results are discussed in 'Is the UK public ready for genetic medicine?'
Finegold P, Mathieson K, Holmes L, Boon M, Cottle M, Donnai D, Middleton-Price H.
Personalized Medicine. 2008; 5 (1): 65-76.