Preprint validates new psychometric instrument for measuring genetic literacy in general populations

Researchers have posted a bioRxiv preprint reporting the psychometric validation of the Education and Assessment of Genetic Literacy (EAGL) measure, a new instrument designed to assess genetic literacy across general population samples. The study, deposited on 26 May 2026, used a sample of 2,708 US participants and applied both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to establish the measure's structure and validity.

Existing widely used genetic literacy scales have been criticised for lacking validated knowledge comprehension components — that is, items that go beyond recall and test whether respondents can meaningfully interpret genetic information. The EAGL measure addresses this by including three subscales: a subjective knowledge subscale (self-assessed understanding), an objective knowledge subscale (factual recall), and a distinct knowledge comprehension subscale. For the comprehension component, the authors used autism spectrum condition as an illustrative example of a complex, polygenic condition, testing whether participants could reason appropriately about genetic risk and inheritance in that context.

Regression analyses in the preprint examine predictors of each subscale, separating factors associated with self-perceived from demonstrated genetic knowledge. The authors argue that the distinction matters for interpreting public engagement with genetic testing and genomic medicine.

The EAGL instrument and its validation data are likely to be of interest to genetics educators, researchers in public understanding of genomics, and genetic counsellors who develop patient-facing communication resources. The preprint has not yet been peer-reviewed.