While genetic advancements are often reported as environmentally dependent or modest in effect size in academic publications, these are often translated to the public in deterministic language through the media. Sociologists of genetics argue that media portrayals of genetic influences on health have increased considerably over time, becoming part of the public discourse through which individuals understand symptoms, make help-seeking decisions, and form views of people with particular traits or conditions. The media is the primary source of information about genetic advances and their applications, but it does not provide a neutral discourse. Rather, information is selectively included or ignored, and scientific and clinical implications of genetic discoveries are often inaccurate or overstated. This “genetic optimism” has influenced public opinion, and research suggests that ordinary people are largely accepting of genetic explanations for health and behavior and tend to overestimate the heritability of common diseases for biological relatives.