Effect of Genetic Analysis on Preventive Consciousness of Lifestyle-Related Symptoms or Diseases

Abstract

We examined the understanding and changing consciousness of genetic analyses for the general population and pharmacy staff to clarify whether genetic analyses affect the preventive awareness of lifestyle-related symptoms or diseases, regardless of knowledge level. The level of understanding of genetic analyses by pharmacy staff was significantly higher than that of the general population, suggesting a difference in the level of knowledge about genetic analyses between the general population and pharmacy staff. However, in the both groups, when they have a gene that associated with the symptoms or diseases, there are significantly fewer choices to “do nothing” than when the gene is unknown, and many respondents choose diet-related preventive measures. Therefore, regardless of the knowledge level of genetic analyses, these analyses for lifestyle-related symptoms or diseases may raise preventive awareness in subjects carrying the gene. Additionally, as a preventive measure for genetic possession, arteriosclerosis and cancer were “balanced diets,” and others were actions to reduce dietary components associated with the symptoms or diseases. Furthermore, as a preventive measure against genetic unknowns, it was demonstrated that the general population chose “diet” or “exercise” significantly more than the pharmacy staff.