Public perceptions of biospecimen sampling and uncertainty in the context of personalised nutrition

TL;DR

This study explores how people's perceptions of personalized nutrition are influenced by scientific certainty and the type of biological sample required.

Contribution

The study reveals that perceived scientific certainty affects attitudes more than the type of biospecimen required.

Findings

Participants had more positive attitudes toward personalized nutrition when the science was described as certain.

Stool sample collection elicited more negative emotional responses compared to other sample types.

Perceived scientific certainty may be more influential than sample type in shaping public acceptance.

Abstract

Personalised nutrition based on analysis of biospecimen generates individual-specific dietary recommendations and potentially, improved health. However, the science underpinning these approaches is evolving and uncertain. Additionally, users must provide a biological sample appropriate to the analytic approach being taken. This two-part quasi-experimental study sought to understand the impact of certainty and sample type on affective responses and attitudes to personalised nutrition. Participants (n716) completed a free association task and an attitudinal survey. Participants responded with more positive affect and attitudes to personalised nutrition when the science was characterised as certain. Attitudes to personalised nutrition were not affected by sample type, although contemplating providing a stool sample elicited more negative affective responses than other samples. This suggests that the need to provide a stool sample could be a barrier to microbiome-based personalised nutrition. We consider the implications of our findings in relation to future research and to providers of personalised nutrition.

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