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A New Definition of Genetic Counseling: National Society of Genetic Counselors’ Task Force Report
Author(s) -
Resta Robert,
Biesecker Barbara Bowles,
Bennett Robin L.,
Blum Sandra,
Estabrooks Hahn Susan,
Strecker Michelle N.,
Williams Janet L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1007/s10897-005-9014-3
Subject(s) - genetic counseling , human genetics , task (project management) , medical genetics , genetic testing , process (computing) , inheritance (genetic algorithm) , medical education , psychology , medicine , genetics , computer science , management , biology , economics , gene , operating system
The Genetic Counseling Definition Task Force of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) developed the following definition of genetic counseling that was approved by the NSGC Board of Directors: Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. This process integrates the following: •Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence. •Education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources and research. •Counseling to promote informed choices and adaptation to the risk or condition. The definition was approved after a peer review process with input from the NSGC membership, genetic professional organizations, the NSGC legal counsel, and leaders of several national genetic advocacy groups.