Objective: The genetics community, together with lay advocacy organizations and the general public, should strategically plan a focused, culturally competent, community-based public genetic literacy program. Methods: Inclusive of all stakeholders (consumers, professionals, disability communities, disenfranchised communities), society can advance this objective through a proactive, focused and coordinated outreach to build public awareness and understanding. Results: Genetic Alliance programs support consumers with genetic disorders, raise health professional awareness of their concerns, educate the public about emerging genetic information and technologies, increase access to high quality information resources, and advocate for public policies that ensure the promises of genetics. Conclusion: The challenge before the genetics community is to be proactive, clear, and inclusive. The public should be empowered to make informed choices, allowing the potential benefits of genetic technologies and services to become manifest in improved healthcare and quality of life.

Keywords:
Public, Human genetics, Consumers, Advocacy
1.
Collins F: Twenty ideas that will rule research in the next twenty years. Discover, October 2000;21:90.
2.
Mittman IS: Genetic education to diverse communities employing a community empowerment model; in Mittman IS, Penchaszadeh VB, Secundy MG (eds): The National Dialogue on Genetics. Community Genet 1998;1:24–28.
3.
Phimister B: Editorial. Nat Genet 2000;25:363.
© 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
2001
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.