Genetic Counseling

Genetic Counseling is a process that involves a communication between a trained healthcare professional and an individual or family about the potential risks, implications, and nature of genetic disorders. The goal of genetic counseling is to help individuals understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.

Overview

Genetic counseling integrates:

• Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence.
• Education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources, and research.
• Counseling to promote informed choices and adaptation to the risk or condition.

History

The concept of genetic counseling began in the early 20th century with the eugenics movement. It was not until the late 1940s that the term "genetic counseling" was coined by Sheldon Reed. The development of genetic counseling has been influenced by advances in diagnostic testing, screening programs, and the Human Genome Project.

Process

The process of genetic counseling includes the following steps:

• Collection and analysis of family history
• Risk assessment
• Education about inheritance patterns
• Discussion of testing options and interpretation of test results
• Discussion of management options
• Emotional support

Types of Genetic Counseling

There are several types of genetic counseling, including:

• Prenatal and preconception counseling
• Pediatric counseling
• Adult counseling
• Cancer genetic counseling
• Neurogenetic counseling
• Cardiovascular genetic counseling

Genetic Counselors

Genetic counselors are healthcare professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. They work as members of a healthcare team, providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions.

See Also

• Genetic Testing
• Genetic Disorders
• Human Genome Project
• Medical Genetics

References

Genetic Counseling Resources
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