Survey finds US citizens hopeful about genetics research

Public optimistic about potential cures despite lack of understanding of the science

A telephone survey of 1,100 US adults has found that the majority feel positive about human genetics research and think increasing federal funding for it is important.

The study, released on 30 January by the lobby group Research!America and the scholarly society the American Society of Human Genetics, found 84 per cent of respondents thought further research is needed in human genetics and 74 per cent thought federal funding for it is important.