Genetic Counselling

Genetic Counsellors help patients make sense of the effect that a genetic condition has on them, and help with their genetic test decision-making process.

They also enable patients to understand the impact of genetic test results on their family.

Genetic Counselling for Genetic Testing

Genesis Genetics offers specialised genetic counselling to ensure that patients understand the test options available to them, including any associated benefits and limitations.

This equips patients to choose a test option best suited to their needs. A Genetic Counsellor will communicate a patient’s genetic test result and explain the effect of this on them and their family, providing detail on available choices and offering further help.

Genetic Counsellors are healthcare professionals that specialise in medical genetics and counselling. They are registered with the HPCSA , and their professional healthcare services are accepted by medical aid funders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who would benefit from genetic counselling?

Patients who:

Have a child or a family history of a genetic condition, chromosome abnormality, birth defect or developmental delay
Are from an ethnic group at higher risk for a genetic condition e.g. Ashkenazi Jews
Are worried about the risk of having a child with a birth defect or genetic condition
Are pregnant and over the age of 35 years
Have a personal or family history of miscarriages or stillbirths
Have a strong family history of cancer
Have a pregnancy that is classified as high risk, from previous assessments performed
Need information on prenatal screening and testing

What happens during a genetic counselling session?

During a genetic counselling consult, the Genetic Counsellor will do the following:

Draw up a family tree from a patient’s personal and family history
Discuss the cause, inheritance and risks of the genetic condition for a patient, their family and future pregnancies
Discuss treatment, management and preventive options, if appropriate
Offer genetic testing, where available
Explain the testing process including timing, benefits and limitations, and manage patients’ expectations
Address patient concerns, queries and any ethical issues
Facilitate the testing process in conjunction with a patient’s referring physician
Communicate results to the patient, and provide appropriate support and care

Contact Number

Email Address

Genetic Counsellors help patients make sense of the effect that a genetic condition has on them, and help with their genetic test decision-making process.