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Updated: Oct 30, 2025
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Determining the Likelihood of Variant Pathogenicity Using Amino Acid-level Signal-to-Noise Analysis of Genetic Variation
Published on: January 16, 2019
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Framing Effects on Decision-Making for Diagnostic Genetic Testing: Results from a Randomized Trial
Andrew A Dwyer1,2, Hongjie Shen3, Ziwei Zeng3
1William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
Genes
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Framing genetic testing information influences decisions, with choice frames reducing uptake. Perceived autonomy impacts satisfaction, while lack of control increases regret, highlighting the importance of informed genetic testing choices.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Behavioral Science
- Medical Decision Making
Background:
- Genetic testing is becoming standard clinical practice.
- Testing decisions can cause regret due to implications for blood relatives.
- The impact of information presentation (framing effects) on genetic testing decisions is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine framing effects on hypothetical genetic testing decisions.
- To compare testing decisions, satisfaction, regret, and cognitions across different decision frames and disease scenarios.
Main Methods:
- A randomized factorial design with 1012 participants.
- Six decision frames were used: choice, default (opt-in/opt-out), and enhanced choice (Theory of Planned Behavior-based).
- Hypothetical scenarios involved a common, life-threatening disease and a rare, life-altering disease.
Main Results:
- Participants in the 'choice' frame were less likely to opt for genetic testing (78%) compared to default and enhanced choice frames (83-91%).
- Satisfaction and regret did not differ significantly across frames.
- Perceived autonomy predicted satisfaction, while lack of control predicted regret.
- Testing decisions did not differ between the two disease scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Information framing can influence genetic testing uptake.
- Perceived autonomy is crucial for decision satisfaction, and lack of control is linked to regret.
- Findings have implications for self-determination in the genomic era and suggest potential for web-based decision support tools.
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