Focus groups and public involvement in the new genetics
The dominant and traditional view of the general public is that they have very little understanding of science and technical knowledge. In this brief article, the authors argue that this view should be challenged and participatory methods used, in order to involve the public in informing science policy and health care practice. Ideally, the divide between expert and lay knowledge should be eroded. The article focuses particularly on the new genetic technologies and describes a case study concerning the use of focus groups in investigating the 'social impact of the new genetics'.