The decision to undergo genetic testing is an intensely personal one and one that cannot be taken lightly. Testing should never be mandated or forced upon an at-risk individual. Siblings Relationships with siblings are sometimes strained by learning a test result. Those who have the gene may express anger toward brothers and sisters who do not. Children Children often factor heavily in the testing decision.
Many people undergo presymptomatic testing before planning a family.
Others use the result to decide if they will have more children. Those who already have children worry about the impact of a positive test result. Your relationship with your parents may also be affected by the test result. Parents may feel guilty for passing on the gene. A parent may also have mixed emotions in the event that one child tests negative for the HD gene while another tests positive or begins to show symptoms.