Genetic testing of children is a major ethical issue. Minors do not have the opportunity to make decisions for themselves about whether or not to be tested. Sometimes adults want their children tested for the wrong reasons.  In 1997, an advisory committee of the National Human Genome Research Institute stated that genetic testing of children for adult-onset diseases should not be undertaken unless a child would gain a direct medical benefit that would be lost if the child waited until adulthood to be tested.

It is important for you to weigh both potential risks and benefits before taking a genetic test. By doing so you will be able to make an informed decision for yourself, knowing that your family members also need to be considered. Understanding the psychosocial and ethical implications of genetic testing is essential.