Predictive genetic testing in diabetes: a case study of multiple perspectives.
Author
Shepherd, Maggie
Hattersley, Andrew T.
Sparkes, A. C.
Date
2000-03Journal
Qualitative health researchType
Case ReportPublisher
SageRights
Archived with thanks to Qualitative health researchMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Genetic testing is now possible in maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY), an unusual genetic subtype of diabetes. To date, there has been no research into the implications of genetic testing for MODY families. The case study of the first known instance of predictive genetic testing for diabetes described in this article focuses on the perspectives of the family and the health care professionals involved in the decision-making process. Open-ended interviews were conducted before and after the predictive test. Content analysis highlighted four key areas: autobiographical experiences, motivations for testing, competing priorities in genetic counseling, and differing attitudes to predictive testing for children. Reactions to the predictive test result are presented. The implications of these findings for the provision of predictive genetic testing in diabetes are considered.