ABSTRACT
Families who seek genetic counselling frequently wish to discuss the issue of telling their child about the condition in the family, and informing the child that they are at personal risk. As the notion of informed consent requires the child to be cognizant of the effects of the condition and the implications of a test result, the issue of telling the child of their risk is particularly relevant to the discussion. When considering the testing of children, it is important to consider whether the test result may interfere with these coping strategies, by removing hope of avoiding the disease or making denial more difficult. The advantages of telling a child gradually as the opportunity presents itself or as questions arise was stressed by a number of respondents, who felt that there were benefits in being able to absorb the information slowly and so gradually adjust to the altered potential of life.
