John Benjamins Publishing Company
Argumentation and risk communication about genetic testing
Abstract
As genetic testing for the presence of potentially health-affecting mutations becomes available for more genetic conditions, many people will soon be faced with the decision of whether or not to have a genetic test. Making an informed decision requires an understanding and evaluation of the arguments for and against having the test. As a case in point, this paper considers argumentation involving the decision of whether to have a BRCA gene test, one of the first commercially available genetic tests. First, argumentation in a five-page patient brochure from a for-profit company that provides BRCA gene testing is analyzed. Next, for comparison, argumentation on BRCA testing in materials for healthcare consumers written by a not-for-profit health plan and a government organization is analyzed. In view of the challenges identified by considering these examples, this chapter discusses how argumentation-oriented computer systems may be able to help the healthcare consumer to make informed decisions about genetic testing.
Abstract
As genetic testing for the presence of potentially health-affecting mutations becomes available for more genetic conditions, many people will soon be faced with the decision of whether or not to have a genetic test. Making an informed decision requires an understanding and evaluation of the arguments for and against having the test. As a case in point, this paper considers argumentation involving the decision of whether to have a BRCA gene test, one of the first commercially available genetic tests. First, argumentation in a five-page patient brochure from a for-profit company that provides BRCA gene testing is analyzed. Next, for comparison, argumentation on BRCA testing in materials for healthcare consumers written by a not-for-profit health plan and a government organization is analyzed. In view of the challenges identified by considering these examples, this chapter discusses how argumentation-oriented computer systems may be able to help the healthcare consumer to make informed decisions about genetic testing.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
-
Introduction
- Argumentation in the healthcare domain 1
- Argumentation and informed consent in the doctor–patient relationship 5
- Institutional constraints on strategic maneuvering in shared medical decision-making 19
- Reasonableness of a doctor’s argument by authority 33
- Evaluating argumentative moves in medical consultations 51
- Teaching argumentation theory to doctors 66
- Direct-to-consumer advertisements for prescription drugs as an argumentative activity type 81
- The strategic function of variants of pragmatic argumentation in health brochures 97
- Argumentation and risk communication about genetic testing 113
- “It is about our body, our own body!” 129
- Name index 143
- Subject index 145
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
-
Introduction
- Argumentation in the healthcare domain 1
- Argumentation and informed consent in the doctor–patient relationship 5
- Institutional constraints on strategic maneuvering in shared medical decision-making 19
- Reasonableness of a doctor’s argument by authority 33
- Evaluating argumentative moves in medical consultations 51
- Teaching argumentation theory to doctors 66
- Direct-to-consumer advertisements for prescription drugs as an argumentative activity type 81
- The strategic function of variants of pragmatic argumentation in health brochures 97
- Argumentation and risk communication about genetic testing 113
- “It is about our body, our own body!” 129
- Name index 143
- Subject index 145
