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2.
An. Fac. Med. (Perú) ; 85(1): 34-42, ene.-mar. 2024. tab, graf
Article in Spanish | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1556798

ABSTRACT

RESUMEN Introducción. El alfabetismo científico comprende habilidades para explicar los fenómenos científicamente, evaluar la ciencia e interpretar sus resultados. Para asegurar su correcta medición es necesario disponer de herramientas validadas en diversos idiomas. Objetivo. Adaptar y validar, al español del Perú, un instrumento para medir las habilidades en alfabetismo científico en estudiantes de medicina. Métodos. La adaptación cultural del Test of Scientific Literacy Skills (TOSLS) tuvo seis pasos. Primero, una traducción independiente y simultánea del inglés al español. Luego, síntesis de ambas traducciones y traducción inversa, seguida de la comparación con la versión original y su retrotraducción. Luego, se realizó una prueba piloto y un estudio transversal con estudiantes de medicina en Lima, Perú. El último paso comprendió la evaluación psicométrica utilizando el modelo de Rasch. El instrumento tuvo 28 preguntas de opción múltiple con una única respuesta correcta. Resultados. Enrolamos 300 estudiantes. El coeficiente Kuder-Richadson fue 0,742. Los ítems mostraron unidimensionalidad e independencia local (MADaQ3 = 0,054). El ítem 12 fue el más difícil, el 5 resultó el más fácil. Los estadísticos infit y outfit de los ítems estuvieron en el rango de 0,7 a 1,3 logits. La curva de función de información brindó información con mayor precisión en el nivel de habilidad ubicado entre -1 y 0 logits. Hubo correspondencia entre la dificultad de los ítems y la habilidad en alfabetismo científico. Conclusión. La versión en español mantuvo los 28 ítems del TOSLS original y tuvo aceptable consistencia interna. Los ítems tuvieron propiedades aceptables, independientemente de la habilidad en alfabetismo científico de los estudiantes.


ABSTRACT Introduction. Scientific literacy comprises skills to explain phenomena scientifically, evaluate science and interpret its results. Validated tools in different languages are needed to ensure their correct measurement. Objective. To adapt and validate, to Peruvian Spanish, an instrument to measure scientific literacy skills in medical students. Methods. The cultural adaptation of the Test of Scientific Literacy Skills (TOSLS) into Spanish had six steps. First, an independent, simultaneous translation from English into Spanish was performed. Then, both translations were synthesised and back-translated, followed by comparison with the original version and back-translation. This was followed by a pilot test and a cross-sectional study with medical students in Lima, Peru. The last step involved psychometric evaluation using the Rasch model. The instrument consisted of 28 multiple-choice questions with only one correct answer. Results. 300 students were enrolled. The Kuder-Richadson coefficient was 0.742. The items showed unidimensionality and local independence (MADaQ3 = 0.054). Item 12 was the most difficult, while item 5 was the easiest. The infit and outfit statistics of the items were in the range of 0.7 to 1.3 logits. The test information function provided information with greater precision at skill levels between -1 and 0 logits. There was a correspondence between item difficulty and scientific literacy ability. Conclusion. The Spanish version retained the 28 items of the original TOSLS and had acceptable internal consistency. The items had acceptable properties, independently of students' scientific literacy ability.

3.
Nursing (Ed. bras., Impr.) ; 26(306): 10018-10023, dez.2023. ilus
Article in English, Portuguese | LILACS, BDENF - Nursing | ID: biblio-1526326

ABSTRACT

Introdução: A incapacidade funcional e o desempenho físico são definidos pela dificuldade ou necessidade de ajuda para o indivíduo executar tarefas diárias, podendo repercutir na capacidade adaptativa das atividades diárias, tanto nas suas capacidades físicas quanto mentais. O processo de envelhecimento acarreta incapacidade funcional, comprometendo a qualidade de vida. Objetivo geral: Construir um aplicativo em saúde com foco na saúde do idoso com incapacidade na lombar. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo do tipo construção de um aplicativo, desenvolvido durante o período de agosto de 2021 a maio de 2022 em Fortaleza-CE, na página https://fabricadeaplicativos.com.br e será disponibilizado com um instrumento composto pelo índice de Oswestry 2.0 de Incapacidade. Resultados: Telas explicativas para download e acesso ao aplicativo desenvolvido para facilitar o alcance de informações relevantes aos idosos que sofrem limitações no seu dia a dia, provenientes do processo de envelhecimento. Conclusão: Tendo visto que existem poucos estudos e aplicativos sobre esse assunto, se faz necessário a criação de um aplicativo voltado ao tema.(AU)


Introduction: Functional disability and physical performance are defined by the difficulty or need for help for the individual to perform daily tasks. It can have repercussions on the adaptive capacity of daily activities, both in their physical and mental capacities. The aging process causes functional disability, thus compromising quality of life. General objective: To build a health application focused on the health of the elderly with disabilities in the lumbar. Methods: This is a study of the type of construction of an application, developed during the period from August 2021 to May 2022 in Fortaleza-Ceará, on page https://fabricadeaplicativos.com.br and will be made available with an instrument composed of the Oswestry 2.0 Disability Index. Results: Explanatory screens for download and access to the application that was developed to facilitate the reach of relevant information to the elderly who suffer limitations in their day-to-day coming from the aging process. Conclusion: Having seen that there are few studies and applications on this subject, it is necessary to create an application focused on the subject.(AU)


Introducción: La discapacidad funcional y el rendimiento físico se definen por la dificultad o necesidad de ayuda del individuo para realizar las tareas diarias, lo que puede repercutir en la capacidad adaptativa de las actividades diarias, tanto en sus capacidades físicas como mentales. El proceso de envejecimiento conduce a una discapacidad funcional, comprometiendo la calidad de vida. Objetivo general: Construir una aplicación de salud centrada en la salud de personas mayores con discapacidad lumbar. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio del tipo constructivo de una aplicación, desarrollado durante el período de agosto de 2021 a mayo de 2022 en Fortaleza-CE, en la página https://fabricadeaplicativos.com.br y estará disponible con un instrumento compuesto. por el Índice de Discapacidad Oswestry 2.0. Resultados: Pantallas explicativas de descarga y acceso a la aplicación desarrollada para facilitar el acceso a información relevante a personas mayores que sufren limitaciones en su vida diaria, derivadas del proceso de envejecimiento. Conclusión: Dado que existen pocos estudios y aplicaciones sobre este tema, es necesario crear una aplicación enfocada en el tema.(AU)


Subject(s)
Aged , Pain , Aging , Exercise , Science, Technology and Society
4.
NPJ Urban Sustain ; 3(1): 32, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37323541

ABSTRACT

There is a growing recognition that responding to climate change necessitates urban adaptation. We sketch a transdisciplinary research effort, arguing that actionable research on urban adaptation needs to recognize the nature of cities as social networks embedded in physical space. Given the pace, scale and socioeconomic outcomes of urbanization in the Global South, the specificities and history of its cities must be central to the study of how well-known agglomeration effects can facilitate adaptation. The proposed effort calls for the co-creation of knowledge involving scientists and stakeholders, especially those historically excluded from the design and implementation of urban development policies.

5.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 319, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37333884

ABSTRACT

Analytical thinking safeguards us against believing or spreading fake news. In various forms, this common assumption has been reported, investigated, or implemented in fake news education programs. Some have associated this assumption with the inverse claim, that distractions from analytical thinking may render us vulnerable to believing or spreading fake news. This paper surveys the research done between 2016 and 2022 on psychological factors influencing one's susceptibility to believing or spreading fake news, considers which of the psychological factors are plausible distractors to one's exercise of analytical thinking, and discusses some implications of considering them as distractors to analytical thinking. From these, the paper draws five conclusions: (1) It is not analytical thinking per se, but analytical thinking directed to evaluating the truth that safeguards us from believing or spreading fake news. (2) While psychological factors can distract us from exercising analytical thinking and they can also distract us in exercising analytical thinking. (3) Whether a psychological factor functions as a distractor from analytical thinking or in analytical thinking may depend on contextual factors. (4) Measurements of analytical thinking may not indicate vulnerability to believing or spreading fake news. (5) The relevance of motivated reasoning to our tendency to believe fake news should not yet be dismissed. These findings may be useful to guide future research in the intersection of analytical thinking and susceptibility to believing or spreading fake news.

6.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 282, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37305352

ABSTRACT

News media plays a vital role in communicating scientific evidence to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such communication is important for convincing the public to follow social distancing guidelines and to respond to health campaigns such as vaccination programmes. However, newspapers were criticised that they focus on the socio-political perspective of science, without explaining the nature of scientific works behind the government's decisions. This paper examines the connections of the nature of science categories in the COVID-19 era by four local newspapers in the United Kingdom between November 2021 to February 2022. Nature of science refers to different aspects of how science works such as aims, values, methods and social institutions of science. Considering the news media may mediate public information and perception of scientific stories, it is relevant to ask how the various British newspapers covered aspects of science during the pandemic. In the period explored, Omicron variant was initially a variant of concern, and an increasing number of scientific evidence showed that the less severity of this variant might move the country from pandemic to endemic. We explored how news articles communicate public health information by addressing how science works during the period when Omicron variants surge. A novel discourse analysis approach, epistemic network analysis is used to characterise the frequency of connections of categories of the nature of science. The connection between political factors and the professional activities of scientists, as well as that with scientific practices are more apparent in left-populated and centralist outlets than in right-populated news outlets. Among four news outlets across the political spectrum, a left-populated newspaper, the Guardian, is not consistent in representing relations of different aspects of the nature of scientific works across different stages of the public health crisis. Inconsistency of addressing aspects of scientific works and a downplay of the cognitive-epistemic nature of scientific works likely lead to failure in trust and consumption of scientific knowledge by the public in the healthcare crisis.

7.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 280, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37305353

ABSTRACT

The discipline of knowledge translation (KT) emerged as a way of systematically understanding and addressing the challenges of applying health and medical research in practice. In light of ongoing and emerging critique of KT from the medical humanities and social sciences disciplines, KT researchers have become increasingly aware of the complexity of the translational process, particularly the significance of culture, tradition and values in how scientific evidence is understood and received, and thus increasingly receptive to pluralistic notions of knowledge. Hence, there is now an emerging view of KT as a highly complex, dynamic, and integrated sociological phenomenon, which neither assumes nor creates knowledge hierarchies and neither prescribes nor privileges scientific evidence. Such a view, however, does not guarantee that scientific evidence will be applied in practice and thus poses a significant dilemma for KT regarding its status as a scientific and practice-oriented discipline, particularly within the current sociopolitical climate. Therefore, in response to the ongoing and emerging critique of KT, we argue that KT must provide scope for relevant scientific evidence to occupy an appropriate position of epistemic primacy in public discourse. Such a view is not intended to uphold the privileged status of science nor affirm the "scientific logos" per se. It is proffered as a counterbalance to powerful social, cultural, political and market forces that are able to challenge scientific evidence and promote disinformation to the detriment of democratic outcomes and the public good.

8.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 270, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37273415

ABSTRACT

The extremely complex and dynamic digital environments of universities make them highly vulnerable to the risk of data breaches. This study empirically investigated the factors influencing data breach risks in the context of higher education, according to crime opportunity theory and routine activity theory. The data consisted of university samples from China and were collected mainly from the Chinese Education Industry Vulnerability Reporting Platform. After applying Poisson regression for the estimation, increased public disclosure of vulnerabilities was found to escalate the frequency of data breaches, whereas cross-border data flow decreased the number of data breaches. Furthermore, the mechanism by which academic strength affects data breaches was examined through the two mediators of cross-border data flow and vulnerability disclosure. In addition, cloud adoption reduced data breaches, and public clouds were determined to be relatively more secure than private clouds. Cloud adoption also acted as a moderator between the negative impact of vulnerabilities and the positive impact of cross-border data flow on data breaches. The estimation and robustness findings revealed the underlying mechanisms that impacted university data security, clarifying the understanding of data breaches and suggesting practical implications for universities and other institutes to improve information security. The findings of this study provide insights and directions for future research.

9.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 268, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37273418

ABSTRACT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the flipped classroom (FC) approach has been a prominent teaching and learning strategy. Despite its popularity, few studies have been undertaken to effectively measure student learning experiences in an FC learning environment. The purpose of this study is to assess the content validity of the Constructivist Learning in Higher Education Settings (CLHES) scale, which is used to measure student learning experiences in a flipped classroom (FC) in the Saudi Arabian higher education environment. The content validity of the eight-dimension scale was examined using the three-tier methodology, including the content validity ratio (CVR) technique, based on the evaluations of selected experts in the field and factor analysis methodology. The results showed that 31 of the 32 items were accepted, with only one item being denied. The findings suggested that this instrument has a strong potential for usage as a valid scale to evaluate the quality of FC teaching and learning among higher education students.

10.
Medisan ; 27(3)jun. 2023.
Article in Spanish | LILACS, CUMED | ID: biblio-1514557

ABSTRACT

La educación de posgrado en Cuba tiene una función determinante en el desarrollo de los profesionales. Al respecto, en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba se ha implementado un modelo formativo para la gestión de la evaluación de las tecnologías sanitarias, en el cual se establece la interrelación e interconexión del enfoque en ciencia, tecnología y sociedad, así como el empleo del contexto y la contextualización en los referentes que permiten la transformación del proceso de formación de posgrado. En el actual artículo se expone cómo la aplicación de dicho modelo ha contribuido a moldear la preparación e incrementar la cultura de los gestores de ciencia, tecnología e innovación en salud, a la vez que ha favorecido la calidad de la educación de posgrado desde una perspectiva integral, materializada en la mejora de su gestión.


Postgraduate education in Cuba has a determining role in the development of professionals. In this regard, the University of Medical Sciences from Santiago de Cuba has implemented a training model for the management of health technologies assessment, which establishes the interrelation and interconnection of the approach in science, technology and society, as well as the use of context and contextualization in the referents that allow the transformation of postgraduate training process. In the current article, it is exposed how the application of said model has contributed to shaping the training and improving the culture of health science, technology and innovation managers, at the same time that it has favored the quality of postgraduate education from an integral perspective, materialized in the improvement of its management.

11.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 213, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37192940

ABSTRACT

Sociology of quantification has spent relatively less energies investigating mathematical modelling than it has on other forms of quantification such as statistics, metrics, or algorithms based on artificial intelligence. Here we investigate whether concepts and approaches from mathematical modelling can provide sociology of quantification with nuanced tools to ensure the methodological soundness, normative adequacy and fairness of numbers. We suggest that methodological adequacy can be upheld by techniques in the field of sensitivity analysis, while normative adequacy and fairness are targeted by the different dimensions of sensitivity auditing. We also investigate in which ways modelling can inform other instances of quantification as to promote political agency.

12.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 216, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37192941

ABSTRACT

Personal physiological data is the digital representation of physical features that identify individuals in the Internet of Everything environment. Such data includes characteristics of uniqueness, identification, replicability, irreversibility of damage, and relevance of information, and this data can be collected, shared, and used in a wide range of applications. As facial recognition technology has become prevalent and smarter over time, facial data associated with critical personal information poses a potential security and privacy risk of being leaked in the Internet of Everything application platform. However, current research has not identified a systematic and effective method for identifying these risks. Thus, in this study, we adopted the fault tree analysis method to identify risks. Based on the risks identified, we then listed intermediate events and basic events according to the causal logic, and drew a complete fault tree diagram of facial data breaches. The study determined that personal factors, data management and supervision absence are the three intermediate events. Furthermore, the lack of laws and regulations and the immaturity of facial recognition technology are the two major basic events leading to facial data breaches. We anticipate that this study will explain the manageability and traceability of personal physiological data during its lifecycle. In addition, this study contributes to an understanding of what risks physiological data faces in order to inform individuals of how to manage their data carefully and to guide management parties on how to formulate robust policies and regulations that can ensure data security.

13.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 201, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37192946

ABSTRACT

Worldwide, parenthood remains a major driver for the reduced participation of women in the job market, where discrimination stems from people's biases against mothers, based on stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding the vision of motherhood in our society. In academia, parenthood may be perceived as negatively affecting scientists' commitment and dedication, especially women's. We conducted a survey amongst Brazilian scientists and found that mothers self-reported a higher prevalence of negative bias in their workplace when compared to fathers. The perception of a negative bias was influenced by gender and career status, but not by race, scientific field or number of children. Regarding intersections, mothers with less than 15 years of hiring reported having suffered a higher rate of negative bias against themselves. We discuss implications of these results and suggest how this negative bias should be addressed in order to promote an equitable environment that does not harm women in science.

14.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 157, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37063390

ABSTRACT

There is an increasing worldwide trend toward the development of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education using engineering design (ED) practice. Considering that teachers play pivotal roles in terms of student interest in STEM subjects and careers, it is important to explore teachers' perceptions of STEM-ED education. We analysed survey data from 184 technology teachers who participated in empowerment training (using a STEM-ED curriculum) in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. We used an importance-performance analytical model to investigate the teachers' perceptions of STEM-ED itself, its impact on students, and the challenges experienced during implementation. The results showed that various improvements were required for STEM-ED promotion and for the preparation of STEM-ED lessons. Analysis of variance revealed that the age groups taught and the number of weekly teaching hours significantly affected the teachers' perceptions of STEM-ED. These findings will assist educational institutions worldwide in planning future education policies, designing teacher empowerment courses, and understanding teachers' needs in efforts to improve STEM-ED.

15.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 173, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37096242

ABSTRACT

The present study identifies, organizes, and structures the available scientific knowledge on the recent use and the prospects of Voice Assistants (VA) in private households. The systematic review of the 207 articles from the Computer, Social, and Business and Management research domains combines bibliometric with qualitative content analysis. The study contributes to earlier research by consolidating the as yet dispersed insights from scholarly research, and by conceptualizing linkages between research domains around common themes. We find that, despite advances in the technological development of VA, research largely lacks cross-fertilization between findings from the Social and Business and Management Sciences. This is needed for developing and monetizing meaningful VA use cases and solutions that match the needs of private households. Few articles show that future research is well-advised to make interdisciplinary efforts to create a common understanding from complementary findings-e.g., what necessary social, legal, functional, and technological extensions could integrate social, behavioral, and business aspects with technological development. We identify future VA-based business opportunities and propose integrated future research avenues for aligning the different disciplines' scholarly efforts.

16.
Humanidad. med ; 23(1)abr. 2023.
Article in Spanish | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1506378

ABSTRACT

El proceso de actualización del modelo económico-social cubano de desarrollo socialista, genera importantes transformaciones asociadas a la actividad de trabajo; aspecto que refuerza la significación médico-social de la prevención de enfermedades profesionales. El presente trabajo tiene el objetivo de valorar la significación de la prevención de enfermedades profesionales para la superación del médico de familia, a partir de los estudios ciencia, tecnología y sociedad. Entre los métodos empleados figuran el histórico-lógico, el analítico-sintético y la sistematización; aplicados esencialmente en la valoración de las direcciones principales y referentes ubicados en el campo de los estudios ciencia, tecnología y sociedad. También se empleó la revisión de documentos para examinar instrumentos programáticos y disposiciones jurídicas. Los resultados incluyen valoraciones sobre los referentes vinculados al tema, la determinación de nexos con el desarrollo socioeconómico del país y el establecimiento de relaciones teórico-conceptuales desde un enfoque interdisciplinario, humanista, activo y transformador.


The process of bring up to date of the pattern socio-economic Cuban of development socialist, generates important transformations associated to the work activity; aspect that reinforces the doctor-social significance of the prevention of professional illnesses. The present work has the objective of valuing the significance of the prevention of professional illnesses for the family doctor's self-improvement, starting from the studies science, technology and society. Among the used methods they figure the historical-logical one, the analytic-synthetic one and the systematizing; applied essentially in the valuation of the main and relating addresses located in the field of the studies science, technology and society. The revision of documents was also used to examine programmatic instruments and juridical dispositions. The results include valuations on the relating ones linked to the topic, the determination of nexuses with the socioeconomic development of the country and the establishment of theoretical-conceptual relationships from an interdisciplinary, humanist focus, I activate and transformer.

17.
Humanidad. med ; 23(1)abr. 2023.
Article in Spanish | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1506382

ABSTRACT

El texto presta atención las condicionantes sociales principales de la obtención de la vacuna Abdala como proceso social. El primero, histórico fundacional, se relaciona con la actitud científica del médico cubano Tomás Romay y Chacón ante el conocimiento y la práctica de la medicina; el segundo, político de partida, tiene que ver con importantes decisiones políticas tomadas por el gobierno revolucionario cubano a partir de 1959 que sentaron las bases para las políticas públicas de ciencia, tecnología e innovación; el tercero, educativo revolucionario, más cercano en el tiempo, remite a la educación patriótico-revolucionaria adquirida por quienes iniciaron la biotecnología en Cuba, que les permitió resultados relevantes en los comienzos de este campo a nivel internacional; el cuarto, organizativo tecnológico, remite a las formas organizativas innovadoras empleadas en la obtención de la vacuna Abdala. El objetivo general que se persigue es caracterizar los referidos condicionantes principales.


SUMMARY The text pays attention to four main social conditions of obtaining the Abdala vaccine as a social process. The first, foundational history, is related to the scientific attitude of the Cuban doctor Tomás Romay y Chacón towards the knowledge and practice of medicine; the second, starting political, has to do with important political decisions taken by the Cuban revolutionary government from 1959 that laid the foundations for public policies on science, technology and innovation; the third, revolutionary education, closer in time, refers to the patriotic-revolutionary education acquired by those who started biotechnology in Cuba, which allowed them to obtain relevant results at the beginning of this field at an international level; the fourth, technological organizational, refers to the innovative organizational forms used to obtain the Abdala vaccine. The general objective pursued is to characterize the aforementioned main determining factors.

18.
NPJ Urban Sustain ; 3(1): 10, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36874410

ABSTRACT

Priorities and programmes in the City of Cape Town's Integrated Development Plan (2022-2027) demonstrate progress towards operationalising local level planning for climate-resilient development. These developments provide lessons of process and focus on transformative outcomes for cities seeking equitable and just development while implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation.

19.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 82, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36909257

ABSTRACT

There is a growing debate amongst academics and practitioners on whether interventions made, thus far, towards Responsible AI have been enough to engage with the root causes of AI problems. Failure to effect meaningful changes in this system could see these initiatives not reach their potential and lead to the concept becoming another buzzword for companies to use in their marketing campaigns. Systems thinking is often touted as a methodology to manage and effect change; however, there is little practical advice available for decision-makers to include systems thinking insights to work towards Responsible AI. Using the notion of 'leverage zones' adapted from the systems thinking literature, we suggest a novel approach to plan for and experiment with potential initiatives and interventions. This paper presents a conceptual framework called the Five Ps to help practitioners construct and identify holistic interventions that may work towards Responsible AI, from lower-order interventions such as short-term fixes, tweaking algorithms and updating parameters, through to higher-order interventions such as redefining the system's foundational structures that govern those parameters, or challenging the underlying purpose upon which those structures are built and developed in the first place. Finally, we reflect on the framework as a scaffold for transdisciplinary question-asking to improve outcomes towards Responsible AI.

20.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun ; 10(1): 83, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36909259

ABSTRACT

Since genomics is becoming commonplace in healthcare for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, the prospect of generating a genomic passport for all citizens is gaining traction. While this would have many advantages, it raises ethical issues requiring societal debate alongside academic reflection. Hence, Sciensano-the Belgian scientific Institute of Public Health-organised an online citizen engagement on genomic information usage, including a question on a genomic passport for all. The inductive thematic analysis of participants' contributions highlighted vulnerability as a fundamental concern, while this has not received sufficient attention so far in genomics. Participants expressed their vulnerability in two ways. First, the genomic passport would inform them about their ontological vulnerability. By revealing their constitutional weaknesses (predisposition to diseases), it reminds them that everyone is unavoidably and perennially at risk of being harmed. Second, the misuse of the genomic passport can add situational vulnerabilities (e.g., discrimination causing psychological and economic harm). Moreover, the fundamental uncertainty in genomics-how will such sensitive information be used, and how will the science evolve?-exacerbates these vulnerabilities. This article ends with recommendations to alleviate these vulnerabilities in genomics now and in the future in which the genomic passport may become a reality.

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