Public attitudes about genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease

In a general population survey (N = 314), 79 percent of respondents stated that they would take a hypothetical genetic test to predict whether they wi ll eventually develop Alzheimer's disease. The proportion fell to 45 percen t for a "partially predictive" test (which had a one in ten chance of being incorrect). Inclination to obtain testing was similar across age groups. R espondents were willing to pay $324 for the completely predictive test. Res pondents stated that if they tested positive, they would sign advance direc tives (84 percent), get their finances in order (74 percent), and purchase long-term care insurance (69 percent). Only a third of respondents expresse d concern about confidentiality. The results suggest that people value gene tic testing for personal and financial reasons, but they also underscore th e need to counsel potential recipients carefully about the accuracy and imp lications of test information.