Abstract
To assess the attitude of Japanese patients towards pharmacogenomics research and a DNA bank for identifying genomic markers associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and their willingness to donate DNA samples, we conducted a survey of 550 male and female patients. The majority of the respondents showed a positive attitude towards pharmacogenomics research (87.6%) and a DNA bank (75.1%). The willingness to donate DNA samples when experiencing severe ADRs (55.8%) was higher than when taking medications (40.4%). Positive attitudes towards a DNA bank and organ donation were significantly associated with an increased willingness to donate. Though the level of positive attitude in the patient population was higher than that in the general public in our former study (81.0 and 70.4%, respectively), the level of the willingness of patients to donate was 40.4% when taking medications and 55.8% when experiencing severe ADRs which was lower than that of the general public in our former study (45.3 and 61.7%). The results suggested that the level of true willingness in the patient population was lower than that of the general public considering the fictitious situation presented to the public (to suppose that they were patients receiving medication). It is important to assess the willingness of patients who are true potential donors, not the general public.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Frazier L, Calvin AO, Mudd GT, Cohen MZ (2006) Understanding of genetics among older adults. J Nurs Scholarsh 38(2):126–132
Hoeyer K, Olofsson BO, Mjörndal T, Lynöe N (2004) Informed consent and biobanks: a population-based study of attitudes towards tissue donation for genetic research. Scand J Public Health 32(3):224–229
Kettis-Lindblad A, Ring L, Viberth E, Hansson MG (2006) Genetic research and donation of tissue samples to biobanks. What do potential sample donors in the Swedish general public think? Eur J Public Health 16(4):433–440
Kobayashi E, Satoh N (2009) Public involvement in pharmacogenomics research: a national survey on public attitudes towards pharmacogenomics research and the willingness to donate DNA samples to a DNA bank in Japan. Cell Tissue Bank 10(4):281–291
Pulley JM, Brace MM, Bernard GR, Masys DR (2008) Attitudes and perceptions of patients towards methods of establishing a DNA biobank. Cell Tissue Bank 9(1):55–65
Sanner JE, Frazier L (2007) Factors that influence characteristics of genetic biobanks. J Nurs Scholarsh 39(1):25–29
Wang SS, Fridinger F, Sheedy KM, Khoury MJ (2001) Public attitudes regarding the donation and storage of blood specimens for genetic research. Community Genet 4(1):18–26
Wong ML, Chia KS, Yam WM, Teodoro GR, Lau KW (2004) Willingness to donate blood samples for genetic research: a survey from a community in Singapore. Clin Genet 65(1):45–51
Acknowledgments
This study was financially supported by a Health, Labor and Welfare Research fund from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Japan. All the authors wish to thank all of the patients who agreed to participate in the survey.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kobayashi, E., Sakurada, T., Ueda, S. et al. Public involvement in pharmacogenomics research: a national survey on patients’ attitudes towards pharmacogenomics research and the willingness to donate DNA samples to a DNA bank in Japan. Cell Tissue Bank 12, 71–80 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-009-9166-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-009-9166-8