Education in human genetics should promote the development of skills in students to make decisions, recognize alternatives, apply information, and select options related to health at both community and personal levels. Students should be prepared to use the concepts from this field to understand and express opinions on social and ethical aspects of genetic knowledge. Additionally, the study of genetics can aid in understanding individual differences, fostering acceptance of diversity and recognizing it as a rule rather than an exception.

This study aimed to examine how the topic of genetic diseases is addressed in biology textbooks and to assess how the presentation of this content in textbooks contributes to equipping young citizens with the knowledge about genetic diseases considered important for understanding their surrounding reality, enabling them to apply this knowledge in daily life situations.

The analysis of the results showed that textbooks do not adequately present this content. Many pieces of information are decontextualized, outdated, or even incorrect. Furthermore, the image of genetic disease conveyed to the reader is that these diseases are disabling, lack treatment, and are associated with mental retardation and severe physical malformations.

Given the importance of textbooks in the school context and the fact that teachers may not be fully equipped to handle this topic alone, it would be essential for textbooks to offer a new approach to this subject. This should include contextualized examples so that students can use the learned concepts to exercise their citizenship and become transmitters of this information to their families and communities where they are embedded.