Small number of indepth interviews with people living with a diagnosed mental disorder or carers of such a person, about their views on the potential availability of genetic tests for mental disorders, particularly when provided directly to consumers by commercial entities.This interdisciplinary project will examine societal impacts of two technological developments which are now beginning to intersect: genetic testing and the internet. The research will examine user perspectives on direct to consumer (DTC) genetic testing using existing and imminent genetic tests for psychiatric disorders as an informative case study. The collaboration provides an innovative research approach to studying potential impacts of DTC genetic testing on consumers, knowledge production and healthcare systems, three areas in which potential impacts have been identified but for which little empirical base exists. It critically examines relationships between information, empowerment and geneticisiation with regard to genetics and mental illness, and assesses the significance of DTC genetic testing in mediating this relationship. A post-graduate Research Fellow will work in year one with Professor Sally Wyatt, Maastricht University in a comprehensive context- and media-specific analysis of DTC genetic test sites, with special attention to sites offering genetic tests relevant to risk, diagnosis or treatment of psychiatric disorders. In year two, the Research Fellow will work with Dr. Susan Kelly, Egenis, University of Exeter, to conduct service user led research with mental health user communities including persons living with a psychiatric diagnosis, family members, advocates, and health care professionals.

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