Attitudes toward genetic testing and personalised nutrition in a representative sample of European consumers

TLDR

Negative consumer opinion may hinder the application of nutrigenomic interventions. The study aimed to assess European consumers' attitudes toward genetic testing and personalised nutrition. The authors surveyed 5,967 representative Europeans across six countries in June 2005 as part of the Lipgene project. Sixty‑six percent of respondents were willing to undergo genetic testing and 27 % to follow a personalized diet, with willingness linked to higher cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome awareness, suggesting that personalized nutrition could be accepted if privacy concerns are addressed.

Abstract

Negative consumer opinion poses a potential barrier to the application of nutrigenomic intervention. The present study has aimed to determine attitudes toward genetic testing and personalised nutrition among the European public. An omnibus opinion survey of a representative sample aged 14–55+ years ( n 5967) took place in France, Italy, Great Britain, Portugal, Poland and Germany during June 2005 as part of the Lipgene project. A majority of respondents (66 %) reported that they would be willing to undergo genetic testing and 27 % to follow a personalised diet. Individuals who indicated a willingness to have a genetic test for the personalising of their diets were more likely to report a history of high blood cholesterol levels, central obesity and/or high levels of stress than those who would have a test only for general interest. Those who indicated that they would not have a genetic test were more likely to be male and less likely to report having central obesity. Individuals with a history of high blood cholesterol were less likely than those who did not to worry if intervention foods contained GM ingredients. Individuals who were aware that they had health problems associated with the metabolic syndrome appeared particularly favourable toward nutrigenomic intervention. These findings are encouraging for the future application of personalised nutrition provided that policies are put in place to address public concern about how genetic information is used and held.