1. First French study relative to preconception genetic testing: 1500 general population participants’ opinion
- Author
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Stéphane Bézieau, Mauro Turrini, Bertrand Isidor, Mathilde Nizon, Eugénie Hoarau, Maud Jourdain, Guy Minguet, Xenia Latypova, Valérie Bonneau, Aurélie Gaultier, Département de médecine générale [Université de Nantes - UFR de Médecine et des Techniques Médicales], Nantes Université - UFR de Médecine et des Techniques Médicales (Nantes Univ - UFR MEDECINE), Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Nantes Université (Nantes Univ), Nantes université - Maison des Sciences de l'Homme Ange-Guépin (MSH Ange-Guépin), Université d'Angers (UA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Le Mans Université (UM), Service de génétique médicale - Unité de génétique clinique [Nantes], Université de Nantes (UN)-Centre hospitalier universitaire de Nantes (CHU Nantes), DRCI, Plateforme de Méthodologie et de Biostatistique, CHU Nantes, Département Sciences sociales et de gestion (IMT Atlantique - SSG), IMT Atlantique Bretagne-Pays de la Loire (IMT Atlantique), Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] (IMT)-Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] (IMT), Laboratoire d'économie et de management de Nantes Atlantique (LEMNA), Nantes Université - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises - Nantes (Nantes Univ - IAE Nantes), Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-FR 3473 Institut universitaire Mer et Littoral (IUML), Nantes Université - École Centrale de Nantes (NU - ECN), Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université d'Angers (UA)-Le Mans Université (UM)-Université de Bretagne Sud (UBS)-Nantes Université - École Centrale de Nantes (NU - ECN), Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Nantes Université (Nantes Univ)-Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université d'Angers (UA)-Le Mans Université (UM)-Université de Bretagne Sud (UBS), Université de Nantes - UFR Droit et Sciences Politiques (UFR DSP), and Université de Nantes (UN)
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Preconception genetic testing ,Population ,Ethnic group ,lcsh:Medicine ,Genetic Counseling ,[SDV.MHEP.GEO]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology/Gynecology and obstetrics ,030105 genetics & heredity ,Public opinion ,03 medical and health sciences ,Pregnancy ,Medicalization ,Ethnicity ,medicine ,Humans ,Family ,Pharmacology (medical) ,Genetic Testing ,Expanded carrier screening ,Medical prescription ,Child ,education ,Genetics (clinical) ,Reimbursement ,Genetic testing ,education.field_of_study ,[SHS.STAT]Humanities and Social Sciences/Methods and statistics ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Research ,Genetic Carrier Screening ,lcsh:R ,General Medicine ,Test (assessment) ,030104 developmental biology ,Family medicine ,Reproductive medicine ,Female ,France ,business ,Psychology - Abstract
Background Until very recently, preconception genetic testing was only conducted in particular communities, ethnic groups or families for which an increased risk of genetic disease was identified. To detect in general population a risk for a couple to have a child affected by a rare, recessive or X-linked, genetic disease, carrier screening is proposed in several countries. We aimed to determine the current public opinion relative to this approach in France, using either a printed or web-based questionnaire. Results Among the 1568 participants, 91% are favorable to preconception genetic tests and 57% declare to be willing to have the screening if the latter is available. A medical prescription by a family doctor or a gynecologist would be the best way to propose the test for 73%, with a reimbursement from the social security insurance. However, 19% declare not to be willing to use the test because of their ethic or moral convictions, and the fear that the outcome would question the pregnancy. Otherwise, most participants consider that the test is a medical progress despite the risk of an increased medicalization of the pregnancy. Conclusion This first study in France highlights a global favorable opinion for the preconception genetic carrier testing under a medical prescription and a reimbursement by social security insurance. Our results emphasize as well the complex concerns underpinned by the use of this screening strategy. Therefore, the ethical issues related to these tests include the risk of eugenic drift mentioned by more than half of the participants.
- Published
- 2021