What is genetic counseling?

A genetic consultation is a health service that involves evaluation of an individual or family for one or more of the following:

• Confirming, diagnosing or ruling out a genetic condition
• Identifying medical management issues
• Calculating and communicating genetic risks
• Providing or arranging for support

Trained genetics professionals include doctors who specialize as medical geneticists, genetic counselors (certified healthcare workers) and genetic nurses.

If you are concerned about hereditary human prion disease, you may benefit from a genetic consultation. A genetic consultation is an important part of the decision-making process for genetic testing.