Genetic Counseling Becky Bettin May 24, 2011 Raymond Walters College.

Genetic Counseling

Becky BettinMay 24, 2011

Raymond Walters College

Goal

• To engage you in the world of genetics and clarify any misconceptions about genetics and the genetic counseling profession through discussion and active learning

What do you know about Genetic Counseling?• Turn to your neighbor and discuss what you

know or have heard about genetic counseling:

Definition What they do

Where they work

Who has known someone who has seen a genetic counselor?

Objectives

• Describe the four major roles of a clinical genetic counselor

• Define non-directive counseling and describe why it’s a genetic counselor’s guiding principle

• List the four major areas a genetic counselor would practice

• Explain the reasons for and benefits of genetic services

Definition

• “Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease” – National Society of Genetic Counselors 2006

Brief History

• Genetic info used for a long time– Didn’t circumcise brothers of bleeders, societal taboos against

marriage of relatives• Mid 1900s- purview to Public Health-genetics to better the

human race• 1947- term Genetic Counseling coined• 1969 - Sarah Lawrence started first GC program• 1970 - GC Profession is born• 1975 - ASHG first defined GC• 1979 - NSGC formed• 1993 - ABGC was created to certified GCs• As of today:

– ~3000s practicing GCs in US– 30 accredited programs in US

Roles of a Genetic Counselor

1. Interpret family and medical history to assess the chance (risk) 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. Serve as advocates to empower patients

Interpret family and medical history to assess the chance (risk) of disease occurrence or recurrence• HOW?• Create a Pedigree• Look for patterns

with in the family• Use statistical

models• Research from the

literature Boys are Squares; Girls are CirclesDraw your family

What are some genetic traits, conditions or diseases that can be passed down through families?

Color blindness

Cleft chin

Widow’s peak hair line

Rolling your tongue

What are some genetic traits, conditions or diseases that can be passed down through families?

• Huntington Disease• Some Cancer

What about Down Syndrome?

HemophiliaDuchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Cystic fibrosis

What is responsible for carrying this information?

• ALL our cells contain DNA• Packaged as Chromosomes• Contain Genes

Chromosomes

• Contain all of our genetic material, tell our bodies how to grow and develop

• 23 pairs = 46 chromosomes

• In each pair one is from Mom and one is from Dad

• Females are typically XX, males are XY

Inheritance

• Autosomal: the gene responsible is located on one of the 22 pairs of autosomes (non-sex determining chromosomes).– Dominant: conditions that are manifest in just one

copy of the changed gene.– Recessive: conditions are only manifest in

individuals who have two copies of the changed gene.

• X-linked: the gene that encodes for the trait is located on the X sex chromosome.

Counseling to promote informed choices • Rogers Person Centered Care

– Positive view of humans and trust in self for greater inner directedness

Unconditional Positive Regard - see the best in all people

Empathy - strive to stand in the patient’s shoes Counselor Genuineness - formation of an open

relationship where patient’s feel safe and free to explore their thoughts and emotions

Counseling to promote informed choices • Non-directive Counseling – Guiding Principle

– Intention of enabling clients to make independent, informed decisions free from coercion

– GCs direct the process of the session, but are careful not to direct the outcome

– GCs need to be aware of their own bias, and intentions

How does this differ from the medical model?

Areas of Practice

• Prenatal– Infertility, multiple miscarriage, still birth or early

infant death– Pregnant women at high risk for a genetic

condition like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia– Advanced Maternal Age (over 35)– Interpretation of prenatal screening tests

Areas of Practice

• Pediatrics– Children with

• multiple birth defects – (CL/CP, heart defects, clenched hands, clubfeet)

• developmental delay – (not meeting their milestones for motor skills,

speech)

– Children with a known genetic conditions • (Down syndrome, William syndrome, tuberous

sclerosis)

Areas of Practice

• Cancer– Personal or family history of cancer

• Breast/Ovarian• Colon

• Adult– Family history

• Huntington Disease

Genetic Testing

FISH

ChromosomesSequencing

Microarray

Discrimination Protection

• HIPAA, 1996– Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act

• Protects health information from being shared

• GINA, 2008– Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act

• prohibits the improper use of genetic information in health insurance and employment.

Questions, Comments?

• QUIZ – Name the 4 roles a clinical genetic counselor– List the 3 primary areas of practice– What do the circles and squares mean in a

pedigree– List one benefit of genetic services

Evaluate Me:– Please write down:

• What you liked about my presentation• How you think it could be improved