Psychological implications of genetic screening

Providing genetic information about the risk of developing certain conditions or passing them on to children has far-reaching implications for how people act, think and feel with regards to their health and themselves. Not all of these effects are intended or desirable. Likely interventions to reduce some of the adverse effects may include educational programs aimed at the general population as well as those presenting the tests. Legislation to protect the rights of those being tested may also be required. Well-planned studies are needed to document the psychological effects of genetic screening and to determine how the benefits can be maximized and any adverse effects minimized. Unless these data are collected we will have no way of refuting the assertion made over fifteen years ago by Kuhr that the benefits of population-based genetic screening have not been shown to outweigh the psychological costs (Kuhr, 1975).