Objective: To describe the process of using democratic deliberation with Communities of Color to develop recommendations for laws, professional standards and institutional policies regarding the use and application of genome research.
Methods: Fifteen Community Dialogues Groups were convened by community-based organizations in Michigan and Alabama. Each dialogue group was convened for five two-hour sessions. Democratic deliberation is a process to transform an individual's moral, ethical and legal concerns into a group consensus on general values and desirable public policies. This process was used with the groups to develop consensus policy recommendations for the use and application of genome research and its resulting technology.
Results: The dialogue process was able to actively engage community members in considering their views and opinions and to develop policy recommendations. The findings and recommendations of the 15 dialogue groups have been disseminated to policymakers, health educators and practitioners. The process of disseminating the findings include the community members and investigators presenting the consensus recommendations at national and state meetings with policy makers and through engagement of individual legislators, professional organizations and governmental bodies.
Conclusions: The community dialogue process of democratic deliberation can be effectively used with diverse groups based upon race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The process of communicative deliberation will differ based upon the culture and life experiences of the individuals and the group but can lead to consensus values and policy opinions.
Learning Objectives: To explore the process and effectiveness of community-driven participatory democracy in shaping policy.
Keywords: Genetics, Policy/Policy Development
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.