Genetic counseling is the process of investigating individuals and families affected by or at risk of genetic disorders to help them understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease, a field considered necessary for the implementation of genomic medicine. The process integrates interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance that a disease will occur or recur, education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention and available resources, and counseling to promote informed choices, adaptation to the risk or condition, and support in reaching out to relatives who are also at risk.
Facts
Partially Attested
Origin YearSource attests the term genetic counseling was coined in 1947 and that advising on inherited traits began around 1900; 1947 is the coinage date, not a firm start of the practice. Connections
Associated With
Genetic counseling is a core service of medical genetics.
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_counseling, lead sectionQuote, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_counseling, lead section
Genetic counseling is the process of investigating individuals and families affected by or at risk of genetic disorders to help them understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.
2. Genetic counseling - Wikipedia
HistoryQuote, History
Sheldon Clark Reed coined the term genetic counseling in 1947
Frequently Asked Questions
Is genetic counseling only for people who already have a genetic disorder?
No, it also serves people and families at risk of a genetic disorder.
No. Genetic counseling is described as the process of investigating individuals and families affected by or at risk of genetic disorders, so it serves people at risk as well as people already affected. It integrates the interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance that a disease will occur or recur, education about inheritance, testing, management and prevention, and counseling that supports informed choices and adaptation to the risk or condition. It also helps people reach out to relatives who may be at risk too.
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