Community-based genetic education, communication channels, and knowledge of Tay-Sachs disease

In the planning of community-based genetics education campaigns, we cannot assume the existence of a single-minded, passively receptive public, simply waiting to be "educated." Rather, we must consider the impact of preexisting circumstances, notably the differential life-status conditions, the special concerns, and individual motivations of the persons to be educated on their search for information that matters to them. Messages promulgated by mass media educational campaigns on issues in genetics typically do not fall on a homogeneous mass of equally responsive ears and eyes, even if the target population superficially appears to be homogeneous and preselected. Especially institutional sources, (e.g., schools and general education) for males, and social relations (e.g., informal contact among friends) for females are crucial strategic variables affecting transmission and reception of knowledge of Tay-Sachs disease.