6. Genetic research raises difficult questions about informing participants and other subjects of any results, or of future results. Some people feel anxious about the possibility of having a defective gene that would place them or their children at risk. Some people want to know what is found out about them, others do not. The risks of knowing include anxiety and other psychological distress. The risks of not knowing what is found include not being aware if there is treatment for the problem being studied. But these risks can change depending on whether there is a treatment or cure for a particular disease, and on how clear the results are. If there is a medical reason to seek specific information from the participants, their doctor will tell them of this. A process called "genetic counseling" is often appropriate in such cases; the participants should ask their doctor about this if there are any questions.