Communicating in context: a priority for gene therapy researchers

Abstract

History shows that public opinion of emerging biotechnologies has the potential to impact the research process through mechanisms such as funding and advocacy. It is critical, therefore, to consider public attitudes towards modern biotechnology such as gene therapy and more specifically towards the ethics of gene therapy, alongside advances in basic and clinical research. Research conducted through social media recently assessed how online users view the ethics of gene therapy and showed that while acceptability is high, significant ethical concerns remain. To address these concerns, the development of effective and evidence-based communication strategies that engage a wide range of stakeholders should be a priority for researchers.

Keywords:

• biomedical ethics
• communication
• gene therapy
• online health
• public attitudes

Acknowledgments

The author thanks Judy Illes, Professor of Neurology and Director, National Core for Neuroethics at the University of British Columbia and Canada Research Chair in Neuroethics, for her insightful comments on the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The original research on which this editorial was based was supported by a generous grant from Genome BC and further enabled by support to the National Core for Neuroethics at University of British Columbia from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.