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Poll: Genetic Testing

from: AARP Bulletin | September 1, 2010

Would you consider having your genetic profile analyzed to learn if you are susceptible to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer and diabetes?

Have you ever undergone any type of genetic testing?

Which of the following items are reasons why you haven't been tested?

	Total	18-49	50+
Cost	32%	32%	32%
You're skeptical of science	12%	12%	12%
You don't want to know results	21%	21%	21%
You're concerned that someone else may get the results	20%	20%	20%
You've never given it any thought/never thought about it	63%	60%	67%
Don't want to/not interested/don't see the need/it's not a concern	8%	6%	11%
Don't know what it is/don't know enough about it	0.7%	0.9%	0.5%
Don't have the time	0.3%	--	0.7%
Other	3%	3%	3%
None	3%	3%	3%
Don't know	2%	2%	1%

Who do you think should have access to your genetic information besides your doctor?

	Total	18-49	50+
Insurers	1%	1%	0.4%
Employers	--	--	--
Schools	0.1%	0.2%	--
Adoption agencies	0.1%	--	0.3%
Military	0.3%	--	0.6%
Only you	66%	70%	61%
Family members	29%	25%	33%
Research/for research purposes	0.2%	0.1%	0.4%
Anyone	0.4%	--	0.8%
Other	1%	1.2%	1%
No one else	4%	4%	4%
None	1%	1%	1%
Don't know/No response	1%	1%	1%

When thinking about genetic testing, if a genetic test showed that you could live to be 100, would you:

	Total	18-49	50+
Take better care of yourself	49%	43%	45%
Live a wilder/adventurous life	22%	28%	15%
Start another career	19%	23%	15%
Start another romance	10%	11%	8%
Save more money	45%	50%	39%
Not change a thing	35%	32%	38%