Attitudes regarding molecular diagnosis in Mexican families at risk of inheriting Huntington's disease.

Fifty-eight, at-risk subjects were studied. 81% of the group wished to know whether they had inherited Huntington's disease, even though only 79% would undergo testing. The subjects reported a favorable attitude toward a probable positive result in 81% of cases. Nevertheless, 52% reported they would become depressed, and a small group referred suicidal ideation as response to a probable positive result. Regarding genetic counseling, 59% reported that an at-risk person should not have children, although this increased to 82% if the person knew with certainty that they would develop the disease. Prenatal testing was favored in 74%, and less than half would be willing to have an abortion. Genetic counseling must be insisted upon, the selection of at-risk subjects must be carefully made, and the characteristics of the Mexican population must be taken into account.