The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Counseling

According to the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors, “Genetic counsellors

work as members of a healthcare team, providing individuals and families with information on

the nature inheritance, and implications of genetic disorders to help them make informed medical

decisions and personal decisions.” They are present in the medical field in helping those with a

genetic condition to have better lives and overall health in any way that they can. Genetic

counsellors benefit the field of human genetics by helping the geneticist inform the patient of

their medical problem, explain how they problem will affect their everyday life, and assessing

the possibility of a genetically related condition occurring in a family.

According to the American Board of Genetic

They will make sure that

the patient completely understands what the doctor is exactly saying. It is important for the

patient to understand at least a general background on the doctor’s diagnosis so that they can also

do their own research. Genetic counselors are also present to help people adapt their lives to fit

their genetic condition’s needs.

“Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical,

psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to a disease” (National Society

of Genetic Counselors). The genetic counselling will answer any and all questions that the

patient may have, dealing with the medical, psychological, and familial questions that they may

have. This is important because a geneticist can have trouble explaining, in an understandable

way, the implications of a genetically related disease. The long and complex process of genetic

counselling can be separated into diagnostic and support aspects. Many will take advantage of

the support aspect to help them cope and adapt to the daily implications that a condition