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Would knowing your genetic risk change your behaviour?
April 24, 2001Providing people with genetic information on risk may not increase their motivation to change behaviour, and in some cases may decrease motivation, finds a review in this week's BMJ.
Using the limited evidence and the literature on behavioural change, the research team examined if and how people's behaviour might be changed when given DNA based information about their chances of developing potentially preventable diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
The current evidence suggests that providing people with DNA derived information about risks to their health does not increase motivation to change behaviour beyond that achieved with non-genetic information, report the authors. For instance, since the introduction of predictive genetic testing for risk of breast cancer, no significant changes in screening behaviour have been found.
For some people, genetic information may even reduce motivation to change behaviour, add the authors. For example, parents who tested positive for high cholesterol levels led to a sense of fatalism, based on the belief that genetically conferred risks are serious and immutable.
Further research is needed to evaluate programmes in which genetic risk information is given, including evaluation of different ways of giving information, they conclude.
British Medical Journal (BMJ)
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Plants display 'molecular amnesia'
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Tool Helps Identify Gene Function in Soybeans, Could Lead to Better Crop Performance, say MU Researchers
In the race for bioengineered crops, sequencing the genome could be considered the first leg in a multi-leg relay.
Brown Chemist Finds Gene That Enables Gray Mold to Kill Plant Cells
Gray mold is a gardener's nightmare. The fungus, also known by its scientific name Botrytis cinerea, is a scourge to more than 200 agricultural and ornamental plant species, including staples such as tomatoes, strawberries, snap and lima beans, cabbage, lettuce and endive, peas, peppers, and potatoes.
Ice beetles impacted by climate change
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