Genetic Consultation and Counseling

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Genetic Consultation provides individuals and families with evaluation, laboratory testing, information, and referral services for conditions that are inherited or may be inherited.

Genetic Counseling is the explanation of technical and complicated genetic knowledge into practical information.

Genetic counselors and physician geneticists help the individual or family:

understand the medical facts including the diagnosis, prognosis, and available treatment
comprehend herediary patterns and recurrence chances
understand the options for testing
adjust to the information provided

Adapted from American Journal of Human Genetics 27:240-242, 1975