PROJECT NARRATIVE This project will identify ways to demonstrate respect to prospective research participants that incorporate the perspectives of diverse patient populations who have been historically underrepresented in research. Demonstrating respect in a way that is meaningful to patients from diverse backgrounds has the potential to contribute positively to trusting, collaborative investigator-participant partnerships and to increase recruitment and retention in both the short term and the long term.

Prenatal screening and testing technologies using genetic methods are rapidly expanding, offering increasing amounts of genetic information about the fetus. However, research shows that women from underserved populations are less likely to receive or accept prenatal genetic services, leading to discordant birth outcomes. We propose to explore the barriers to access and acceptance of prenatal genetic care among women from underserved populations.

PROJECT NARRATIVE The proposed K01 Award?'Evaluating the Risks and Benefits of the Next Generation of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests??will enable the candidate to acquire the academic background, research experience, and professional skills to become an independent ELSI investigator exploring the risks and benefits of current and emerging direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests.

PROJECT NARRATIVE We will undertake epidemiological, historical and mixed-methods analysis of nearly 30,000 eugenic sterilization requests processed by three U.S. states: California, North Carolina, and Iowa, between 1919 and 1974. Working with de-identified datasets and using methods we developed during the R21 phase of this project, we will estimate and compare population-based rates of sterilization according to gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, diagnosis, state, and time period.