Newborn genomic findings attract more interest when treatment is possible
A single peer-reviewed survey in Germany found that parents were more interested in newborn genomic findings when an effective intervention was available. The experiment involved 556 participants evaluating hypothetical scenarios. Interest could coexist with anxiety, including for lower-probability findings. The results describe preferences, while voluntary participation and a highly educated sample limit how broadly they apply.
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Treatment options change interest in genetic findings
Parents in Germany expressed greater interest in newborn genomic findings when effective treatment was available, in one peer-reviewed survey experiment. Genomic screening looks for genetic conditions at birth. The 556 participants assessed hypothetical findings, ranging from conditions with supportive care alone to conditions where treatment could prevent severe symptoms and allow normal development. On the 100-point interest scale, the high-actionability scenario averaged 85.65; the low-actionability scenario averaged 73.03.[1]
Random scenarios vary disease probability
Each participant received two scenarios randomly selected from nine possibilities. The scenarios varied both the disease probability associated with a genetic finding and the available intervention. The online survey ran between June and November 2024, recruiting expecting parents and parents with children younger than eight. Of 797 people who began the questionnaire, 556 entered the final sample. Removing actionability from the statistical model worsened its fit more than removing disease probability.[1]
High interest can accompany anxiety
Participants’ interest in learning a finding could coexist with concern about it. In lower-probability scenarios, perceived risk tended towards the upper end of the supplied range. Disease probability and diagnostic concern were measured separately, capturing different responses to the information.[1]
The sample was voluntary and highly educated, which limits generalisation. Because participants assessed imagined findings, the experiment did not measure real screening uptake, actual test results or later health outcomes. Decision aids and access to genetic counselling are among the authors’ proposals. Their effectiveness was outside the experiment’s scope.[1]
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