Bad Science

Professor David Porteous comments on the fact that aspects of media can be inappropriate and damaging in reporting on genetics research.

The question of how well the public is informed about genetics research is really quite interesting because in some respects they're extraordinarily well-informed. There are wonderful sources of information on the web that are easily accessible and really open up the whole wonder and spectacle of what can now be done about understanding how we work through genetics and genomics and the human genome project. On the other hand, there's a real dearth of knowledge and understanding, and a lot of misunderstanding about how genetics does and does not contribute to health and happiness. All too often I find that when I'm reading articles in the media, genetic concepts used inappropriately and sometimes quite damagingly.