The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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The gene which is mutated in cystic fibrosis has now been identified, thus permitting the detection of carriers in the general population. This paper reports pilot surveys in the North West Thames region of the health service to assess knowledge of people about cystic fibrosis and their attitudes towards screening. Three groups were surveyed: a group of relatives of those with cystic fibrosis (n = 268), a sample of the community (school pupils and family planning clinic attenders, n = 363), and a group of health care professionals (general practitioners and family planning clinic staff, n = 227). ⋯ Data from the community sample suggest that, although knowledge of cystic fibrosis within the general community is low (less than 50% of respondents realized that cystic fibrosis affects the lungs and that no cure is available), there is likely to be considerable demand for carrier testing from the general public. Approximately 75% of the community sample indicated that they would like to be tested. There was no clear consensus, either from the professionals or the public, as to the best time to offer screening.