Attitudes regarding molecular diagnosis in mexican families at risk of inheriting huntington's disease

RESUMO

Fifty-eight, at risk subjects were studied. 81 percent of the group wished to know whether they had inherited Huntington's disease, even though only 79 percent would undergo testing. The subjects reported a favorable attitude toward a probable positive result in 81 percent of cases. Neversthheless, 52 percent reported they would become depressed, and a small group referred suicidal ideation as response to a probable positive result. Regarding genetic counseling, 59 percent reported that an at-risk person should not have children, although this increased to 82 percent if the person knew with certainty that they would develop the disease. Prenatal testing was favored in 74 percent, and less than half would be willing to have an abortion. Genetic counseling must be carefully made, and the characteristics of the Mexican population must be taken into account