How the public understands genetics: non-deterministic and non-discriminatory interpretations of the "blueprint" metaphor

Critics have worried that recent mass media coverage of genetics encourages genetic determinism and discriminatory attitudes in the public. They have identified the "blueprint" metaphor as one major component of public discou rse that encourages such undesirable public opinions. To assess public inte rpretations of popular discourse about genetics, this audience study expose d 137 college students to sample genetics news articles and asked for their interpretations of the "blueprint" metaphor and of genetics in general. A larger group, the plurality offered nondeterministic interpretations and pe rspectives on genetics. A small minority offered discriminatory interpretat ions, whereas a plurality offered explicit antidiscriminatory interpretatio ns and opinions. Non-deterministic views were based on interpretations of t he blueprint metaphor that understood genes as operating in a partial and p robabilistic fashion, and that interpreted genes as malleable through indiv idual will or technological intervention.