Lay Construction of Genetic Risk. A case-study of the Polish Society of Huntington's Disease
Lay Construction of Genetic Risk. A case-study of the Polish Society of Huntington's Disease

Summary/Abstract: This article explores the lay constructions of genetic risk, the right not to know and the obligation to do a genetic test, know the risk and share genetic information with others. The study was carried out on 27 members of the Polish Society of Huntington's Disease. I describe their understanding of bioethics and their arguments for and against the right not to know. I argue that lay perceptions of the risk, rights and obligations mentioned above are shaped not only by the type of genetic disease involved but also depend on the social group to which it poses a threat and/or costs. Consequently, such obligations are framed toward: future generations, family members, society, the State and oneself. I also argue that genetics is turning families into bioethicists who, as lay experts, become one of the key players in the biomedicalization of society and bioethicization of genetic discourse.

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