Current genetic counseling in China / 北京大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

In 1975, the American Society of Human Genetics adopted the following definition of genetic counseling ge-netic counseling is a communication process which deals with the human problems associated with the occurrence orrisk of occurrence of a genetic disorder in a family. This definition indicates that genetic counseling is the deliveryof information about genetic diseases, including genetic risks, natural history of the disease, and clinical manage-ment of the disease, to patients and their families. Although genetic counseling is not a newword for both westerncountries and China, the development of which is quite different. Many excellent genetic counseling programs havebeen developed since then in developed countries, whereas there is no formal one in China. In the United States,professionals who carry outgenetic counseling musthave taken a professional training and have had the certificate ofAmerican Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) (www.abgc.net).