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Cardiff University - About Genetic Counselling http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine/medical_genetics/study/msc/abo...

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MSc in Genetic Counselling

About Genetic Counselling

At first sight, there may seem to be little in common between genetics and counselling. Whilegenetics is a highly technical science, counselling would often be regarded as an exercise in

communication, intuition and emotional support. This very contrast, however, serves to explainthe importance of genetic counselling. Individual genetic counselling clients will often havequestions and concerns about a genetic illness that could be important for themselves or theirfamilies. They may not only require information that is technically correct, but also someassistance to understand the information provided and to appreciate its relevance to their own

circumstances, choices and feelings.

Genetic counselling can act as a bridge between the science of genetics and the understandingand feelings of its clients. It can help clients to choose the course of action that they regard asmost appropriate in the light of their objective situation while taking account of their personaland family goals. It can help clients make the best possible adjustment to the disorder in an

affected family member and/or to the risk of recurrence of the disorder.

Clinical genetic services are usually provided by a multi-disciplinary team of professionalworkers. Genetic diagnoses are usually made by clinicians - clinical geneticists or othermedically qualified doctors - but clients can often be helped by discussions with non-medicalgenetic counsellors. In addition, there will be many families using genetic services in which the

diagnosis has already been made, and the care of such families may be provided by a geneticcounsellor. Many genetic counsellors in Britain have come from a background in nursing.Valuable contributions have also been made by graduates from other disciplines, such asgenetics, psychology, social work and other areas. The MSc in Genetic Counselling recognisesthe worth of individuals expertise while complementing it with a training in the other necessary

areas. Whatever the background of a person seeking a career in genetic counselling, they

require a knowledge of genetics, experience of genetic disease and of families coping withgenetic disease, and an ability to provide empathic support to individuals and families goingthrough difficult times while maintaining an appropriate professional distance.

External link to the Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors: http://www.agnc.co.uk/ (

http://www.agnc.co.uk/ )

We will be holding a student open day on Wednesday 10th January 2007. Please click herefor more information ( MSc%20Open%20Day%2007.doc )

7/23/2019 Cardiff University - About Genetic Counselling

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Cardiff University - About Genetic Counselling http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine/medical_genetics/study/msc/abo...

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Last modified 2006-12-18.Maintained by ( login_form ) Nick Thomas (mailto:ThomasNS@cardiff.ac.uk )

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