Genetic counseling

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Genetic counseling

Genetic counseling is guidance given by a health professional (genetic counselor or medical geneticist) who is trained to help people understand their risk of getting a disease related to genetics or of having a child with an inherited (genetic) disease, such as sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, or hemophilia.

Genetic counseling may involve:

Teaching a parent or couple about how a specific disease is inherited or passed from parents to a child.
Discussing what problems a genetic disease may cause.
Discussing whether and how to test for a genetic disease before a woman becomes pregnant or before a child is born.
Discussing the likelihood, based on test results, that the couple will have a child with a genetic disease.
Helping a person adapt to the risk of developing a genetic disease such as Huntington's disease. Genetic counselors also can help a person deal with having a disease related to genetics.
Helping individuals, couples, or families make decisions about genetic testing and any related actions that are right for them.

Credits

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Author	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics
Last Updated	November 20, 2007

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Last updated:	November 20, 2007
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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