Public Perception of Genetic Research on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Genetic research on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) receives disproportionate public attention compared to the limited depth of existing research. However, newer genetically informative datasets include more detailed measures of SOGI than were previously available, establishing the potential for rapid expansion of research in this area. Prior research on the relationship between genetic knowledge and social attitudes related to genetics research suggests the potential to both reduce stigma and reify genetic determinism, highlighting the need to explore stakeholder opinions regarding the impacts of genetics research. We explored public attitudes toward and anticipated risks and benefits of SOGI genetic research. Survey responses from 338 participants were collected via social media. In regression analyses, higher scores on genetic knowledge were related to more negative attitudes toward SOGI genetics research (β = -0.16) and participants who held sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) identities had more negative attitudes toward SOGI genetic research than non-SGM participants (β = -0.17). In qualitative analysis of responses to open-ended questions, participants expressing a diverse range of formal scientific training and political attitudes consistently questioned the usefulness of SOGI genetic research. Ethical concerns were described as unresolvable, both in broad terms and concerning specific applications that are currently plausible, especially related to data privacy and politicizing research results, regardless of the content. We discuss public attitudes toward SOGI genetic research in the context of the broader literature on the social, legal, and ethical implications of behavior genetics research and provide recommendations for planning and communicating SOGI genetics research.