The concerns expressed by any community, minority or not, come down to weighing the risks versus potential benefits of research. People want to know how the research will affect them and their community. Because of the uncertain nature of research, an honest prediction of benefits by researchers is often necessarily vague. However, in the absence of any tangible benefits, even if not to be realized for many years, there is no motivation to embrace research and yet multiple reasons to not participate. Assuming that reasonable potential benefits can be described, minority communities should be able to sort fact from fancy on benefits and real threats from urban legends on risks. The presentation will discuss kinds of questions that might help communities decide whether they want to be involved.
Learning Objectives: Audience will be able to describe information needs of minority communities about the human genome project
Keywords: Communication, Minorities
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.