Perceptions and emotional dispositions toward the human genome project in selected social actors of the Metropolitan Region, Chile

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is that of describing, by means of regression tables, the perceptions and emotional dispositions toward the human genome project in specific social actors of the Metropolitan Region. A questionnaire and a semi-structured interview, studied by means of an analysis content method of verbal conduct, were applied to genomics researchers, legislators, students and members of the civil society, so as to characterize the cultural and social conditions that might have an influence on the social appraisal of the human genome project. On the basis of the measurements obtained from a directed sample of 66 individuals, a level of knowledge (variable response) indicator is defined, considering as variable descriptors the measurements of hostility and anxiety, interest in scientific subjects, occupational group, level of studies, sex and age of those interviewed. The statistical analysis uses the Enterprise Miner of SAS 8.2. The variability of the knowledge level explained by the Regression Trees is 0. 75. Differences arise among the distinguishable subgroups as far as average level knowledge about the human genome project, sex and intensity of the psychological characteristics expressed by total anxiety and hostility, are detected.