Ethical and psychological aspects of Huntington's disease

The discovery of a specific and sensitive mutation responsible for Huntington's disease (HD) provides the basis for an accurate genetic test to determine whether or not the HD mutation is present in a patient or in a person at risk. This finding is of profound importance for HD family members as well as for those professionally involved. The possibility of such genetic testing in Croatia has stimulated the author to emphasize the need of pretest and aftertest counseling to provide those requesting HD genetic analysis with due preparation and support.