A Systematic Review of Literature About the Genetic Testing of Adolescents

PURPOSE. Mapping of the human genome raises interest in and concern about the genetic testing of adolescents. Our purpose was to determine the attitudes and knowledge adolescents and their parents have about genetic testing. DESIGN AND METHOD. This paper is a report of a systematic review of the research literature (n = 56) about the attitudes and knowledge adolescents and their parents have about genetic testing. RESULTS. The majority of studies, which were descriptive in design, focused on a specific heritable disorder, were conducted in the United States, and over sampled well-educated White females. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Results suggest that adolescents and their families have relatively positive attitudes about genetic testing and may experience both harms and benefits from testing. Nurses may be in positions to assist adolescents and their families in making decisions about genetic testing, remaining sensitive to family dynamics and issues of privacy and autonomy.