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'. The potential of focus groups and the highly relevant 'lay expertise' that emerged is discussed as well as some of the obstacles to be overcome. The authors warn that, with citizen participation comes ambiguity, ambivalence and tensions that need to be explored rather than simply searching for the most straightforward 'yes' or 'no' answer.