Lay and professional knowledge of genetics and inheritance

Abstract

Despite almost a century of educational effort, studies of both schoolchildren and adults show that the public understanding of Mendelian genetics is very limited. A similar conclusion is drawn from studies of those who have been offered explanations of inheritance in genetic counselling clinics. The aim of this paper is to provide an explanation of these observations. It is argued that Mendelian explanations of inheritance conflict in a number of ways with a lay knowledge of inheritance that is general in society. Furthermore, it is suggested that lay knowledge is grounded in concepts of kinship which are themselves sustained by everyday social practice and relationships, which may make the lay knowledge of inheritance particularly resistant to change. It is suggested that Mendelian explanations may not be easily assimilated because of the conflicts with pre-existing lay knowledge that an individual holds. Preliminary results are described from an empirical study which tests the hypothesis that ideas of genetic connectedness are derived from concepts of kin relationships. The evidence appears to confirm the hypothesis. Parallels are drawn between the history of the acceptance of Mendel's ideas in the scientific community and the assimilation (or the lack of it) of Mendelian explanations by the public. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of public education in Mendelian genetics in schools and genetic counselling clinics, and the ways in which it could be more effective.