Several studies indicate that, when asked, AAs are interested in participating in genetic research78,79 and there are clear benefits for advancing genomic science. For example, in a study of 353 African American, European American, and Hispanic individuals, racial/ethnic groups did not differ in their willingness to participate in psychiatric genetic research; more than 70% in each group stated they were willing to participate.79 An exploratory study of factors associated with engagement in health-related genetic research among 212 African Americans found that 20% of participants had previously been involved in health-related research, and the majority of individuals who had not participated said they would be willing to provide family history and/or biological specimens for genetic research.80 Of note, 89% of the participants who had not previously been involved in a health-related study who expressed a willingness to participate reported they “had never been asked.” 80
