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. 2011 Jul 5;11:535. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-535

Table 3.

Overview of themes raised by participants comparing DNA test results with family history assessment

Themes DNA test Family history assessment Both tests
Identification of people at risk
Diabetes is not severe enough Can be assessed quickly Can identify people at risk
Diabetes family history is unknown Only for high risk individuals
No use for people with no family history
There are other risk factors for diabetes
Positive and negative health outcomes
 Motivation to engage
in healthy behaviour
The test is a deliberate decision There is an example of diabetes patients within the family Genetic risk cannot be influenced
Risk is certain People with a family history are already aware of the risk False reassurance
 Psychological impact Worry for and about children Little or no psychological harm
Worry about diabetes risk
Family issues
 Influence on
family relationships
Opens family discussion about diabetes and provides support
Some do not want to be informed, disturbs family relations
Someone in the family will be blamed
 Informing family members Obligation to disclose risk information to family members
Allows to raise children more consciously
Autonomy
Not performed unasked for Can be offered to everyone Risk tests should be voluntary
No tests on embryos or children
Informative before having children
Informational privacy
 Discrimination Discrimination by insurance company or employer
 Sensitive data Ownership of data Private information
No trust in relatively new test