Ethical issues in genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

The discovery of genetic mutations that increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) brings new promise of predictive testing for the disease. But the quality of information yielded by genetic tests for AD and the implications of this information raise serious questions about the use of such tests. This article examines some of the ethical issues related to predictive genetic testing for AD by examining the interpretation and potential misuses of such data, as well as the factors affecting the development and use of such testing technology. Finally, it poses some recommendations for how genetic testing for AD and the information it yields should be used.