Journal of Clinical & Medical Genomics

Genetic Counsellor: Ethical, Social, and Cultural Implications of Clinical Genetic Testing

Abstract

Iqra Javaid*

Genetic counselling is a patient-centred communication practice with the aims of facilitating people understanding, autonomous decision making, while adhering to the ethics of genetic counseling. Trained professionals in genetic counseling aid the clients in recognizing and adapting to the medical, psychological, and hereditary consequences of inherited diseases. The genetic testing process has certain distinctive legal, ethical, and social features and need major concern. Genetic/Genomic Testing (GGT) is a method for targeted diagnosis of genetic disorder and improvement of human health. Counsellors handles sensitive patient information that could have significantly impact on patient's life; therefore, it is imperative to consider Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) during such testing. Therefore, ELSI studies helps to identify concerns increased due to genomic advancement that could affect clients, their families, and community. The aim of this review is identify what type of ethical, legal, and social issues are major concerns during genetic testing and counselling process.