Tenets of Genetic Counseling
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Voluntary Utilization of Services- The decision to utilize genetics services should be entirely voluntary.
Equal Access- Genetics services, including counseling, diagnosis, and treatment, should be equally and readily available to all who need and choose to use them.
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Complete Disclosure of Information- Genetic counselors subscribe to the belief that all relevant information should be disclosed.
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Non-Directive Counseling- Adherence to a nonprescriptive (often referred to as "non-directive") approach is perhaps the most defining feature of genetic counseling. The philosophy stems from a firm belief that genetic counseling should, insofar as possible, be devoid of any eugenic motivation.
Attention to Psychosocial Dimensions- The unique training of genetic counselors provides each genetic-service participant an opportunity to appreciate the meaning of genetic information.
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Protection of Confidentiality and Privacy- Genetic counseling raises special issues with regard to confidentiality and privacy protection. Information about an individual's family history, carrier status, diagnosis, or risk of a genetic disorder in self or offspring is potentially stigmatizing and can lead to discrimination in employment or inability to obtain insurance.
Walker, Ann (1998) The Practice of Genetic Counseling. In Baker, D., schuette, J., & Uhlmann, W. (Eds) "A Guide to Genetic Counseling" Wiley-Liss, NY.
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