Psychological Factors Related to Genetic Testing

Genetic testing is a medical procedure that enables detection of inherited disorders & risk factors for certain pathological processes. Its application, which will likely be part of standard medical care in the future, opens up many psychological, philosophical, ethical, legal & other questions concerning the gains & risks associated with genetic diagnostics. Three types of genetic testing -- diagnostic, predictive & carrier -- are described here together with their purpose, mode of implementation & a list of some of the diseases which they might detect. In addition, results of many contemporary studies exploring predictors in the decision-making process "for" & "against" genetic testing are presented. Finally, there is a discussion of results obtained in studies investigating emotional, behavioral & social outcomes of genetic testing & the psychological consequences of the results of such a medical procedure. A review of the literature does not indicate any long-term effects of information obtained by genetic testing & suggests that emotional reactions are milder & more short-term than expected, no matter what kind of genetic testing is used. In addition, behavioral outcomes are often not in accordance with the pre-testing intention. The article concludes with a discussion on methodological difficulties in this field, suggestions of guidelines for future studies & practical recommendations for clinical work. Adapted from the source document.