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168 CHAPTER 9: Raising Genomics Awareness

the kind of knowledge it produces, particularly when it comes to the role that
genetics and the mass media have played in formulating these perceptions
(Kampourakis et al., 2014a). The second issue relates to how people perceive
the role of DNA and genes in human health. Genetic determinism appears to be
widespread, at least in formal education (but this may not be the case in mass
media portrayals of genetics; see Condit et al., 1998; Nelkin and Lindee, 2004).
A common view is that there are invariably genes for genetic traits and that
single gene defects are responsible even for complex traits. The roots of such
misconceptions may be partly found in the way biology is taught in schools,
as textbooks often present genetic concepts in a simplistic manner without
relating them to the complexities of development (Gericke et al., 2012).
Interestingly, even biology teachers may hold simplistic and inaccurate views
of genetic determinism (Castera and Clement, 2014). It is therefore unsurpris-
ing that pupils may complete their high school education possessing a some-
what naïve, deterministic view of genetics (Mills Shaw et al., 2008).
Given such misconceptions about genetics, it is very challenging to enhance
genetic literacy in our society. One important step forward would be to provide
the general public (starting even from secondary or even primary school edu-
cation) with a more accurate portrayal of genetics and genomics (Barnes and
Dupré, 2008; Krimsky and Gruber, 2013), and as such, genetics and genomics
researchers should be actively involved in education and public communica-
tion (Kampourakis et al., 2014a,b; Reydon et al., 2012). Any public commu-
nication of genetics should attempt to convey a more accurate view of how
genes and the genome as a whole function while emphasizing the complexities
of inheritance and development. Furthermore, exploring the possible psycho-
logical roots of naïve genetic determinist conceptions will also assist with the
development of a more effective genetics/genomics education.

Conferences to Raise Genetic Awareness in the
General Public
From the above it is obvious that it is of the utmost importance to increase
genomic awareness in the general public through dedicated conferences,
as apart from health care professionals, patients and the general public are
equally important stakeholders for the clinical implementation of genomic
and personalized medicine.

The Golden Helix Foundation has engaged in the organization of such con-
ferences, and in 2011 it co-organized a conference related to the impact of
genetics to society in Athens, Greece (November 4–6, 2011), to enhance aware-
ness of the general public over various issues pertaining to genetics and their
application to modern medical practice. This meeting was encouraged by
the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Similarly, in 2012 this conference was
repeated jointly with the Eugenides Foundation in Greece (December 2, 2012).