What is genetic counseling?
Genetic counseling gives people an opportunity to sit down with a trained health professional to discuss their risk for a genetic disease and to decide if they want to be tested. A genetic counselor will do the following: • Take a detailed family and medical history • Assess an individual’s risk for having a genetic mutation • Discuss the risks and benefits of genetic testing • Discuss testing options and talk about what each option means • Explain the options available if you are found to carry a genetic mutation • Discuss the implications of genetic testing for other family members The genetic counselor’s role is to help the patient to become well informed and to make the decision that is best for him or her. It is important to understand that even if you are found to be at a higher risk for carrying a mutation, you may decide, after counseling, not to be tested.
Genetic counseling is a health service that provides information and support if you have, or may be at risk for, genetic disorders. A genetic counselor helps you and your family members understand how inheritance works and what causes genetic conditions. The genetic counselor also can help you understand how this genetic information may impact you and your family emotionally. The counselor will ask many questions about your family medical history. Your family history is used to determine your risk for developing a genetic disorder, to determine your risk of having a child with a genetic disorder and to help make a genetic diagnosis.
Genetic counseling helps families understand information about birth defects and inherited conditions. Detailed information about your family history is reviewed. If there is a family history of a genetic condition, the genetic counselor will discuss the chance that the condition will occur again in your family. The genetic counselor also will provide up-to-date information about available genetic tests, treatments, research options support organizations and community resources. A genetic counselor is a health care professional with a master’s degree, including specialized training in human/medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors are certified by either the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics. Genetic counseling is a dynamic psychoeducational process centered on genetic information.
During Genetic Counseling, the inheritance pattern of a particular genetic disorder in a family is studied. The chances of recurrence of the same abnormality in the family are explained. If genetic tests for diagnosis of that disorder are available in India, arrangements are made to send the required samples for testing. This can help for prenatal diagnosis in a subsequent pregnancy in family members at risk. As most genetic disorders cannot be cured, genetic counseling helps to prevent the recurrence of the same disorder in the extended family.
