[Psychosocial consequences of genetic susceptibility on development of disease].

The development of predictive genetic DNA- tests gives people the choice "to know" or "not to know" a decision with tremendous short-mid- and long-term consequences. Family history of disease can provide information about the increased risk of susceptibility, and these knowledge may have psychosocial implication. The results of studies using genetic testing and their psychological impact are discussed with regard to hereditary cancer (breast, colorectal, prostate) as well as particular neurogenetic disease (e.g. Huntington' disease). Psychological studies on genetic risk concentrating on psychological adjustment, transfer of information within the family and perception of genetic risk in families showed that genetic disease had a considerable impact on family life (e.g. reproductive decisions). Findings showed that people with a family history of cancer (without genetic testing) vary in their illness behaviour, but little is known about the effect of inheredited predisposition to disease (e.g. cancer) on such health related behaviour as smoking, diet, activity level. Genetic information could both increase (strengthening the belief that current behaviour combined with genetic predisposition is putting person at increasing risk of disease) and decrease motivation to change behaviour (weakening belief that changing behaviour will reduce risk of disease because genetic is immutable).