A New Definition of Genetic Counseling: National Society of Genetic Counselors' Task Force Report.
Resta, Robert Task Force Co-Chairs 1,8; Biesecker, Barbara Bowles Task Force Co-Chairs 2,8,9; Bennett, Robin L. 3; Blum, Sandra 4; Hahn, Susan Estabrooks 5; Strecker, Michelle N. 6; Williams, Janet L. 7
[Miscellaneous] Journal of Genetic Counseling. 15(2):77-83, June 2006.

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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:

1. * Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence.

2. * Education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources and research.

3. * Counseling to promote informed choices and adaptation to the risk or condition.

4. * 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.

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