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Definition: genetic counselling from The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology

A general term for any health service that tests, advises and counsels prospective parents on any genetic disorder that they may pass to their offspring.


genetic counselling

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
In medicine, the establishment of a detailed family history of any genetic disorders for individuals who are at risk of developing them, or concerned that they may pass them on to their children, and discussion as to likely incidence and available options. Prenatal diagnosis may be available to those at risk of having a child affected by a particular disorder. Genetic counselling of individuals at risk of developing a genetic disorder in adult life can result in the individual taking action to prevent the disorder developing; for example, removal of the ovaries in women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer. There is a great deal of variation in the mode of inheritance of genetic disorders. Some disorders, such as Huntington's chorea, are inherited as dominant genes and there is a 50% chance of the children of an affected person and a normal person being affected by the disorder. Other disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, are inherited as recessive genes. The possession of a…
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Full text Article genetic counselling

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
In medicine, the establishment of a detailed family history of any genetic disorders for individuals who are at risk of developing them, or concerned that they may pass them on to their children, and discussion as to likely incidence and available options. Prenatal diagnosis may be available to…
| 337 words
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Full text Article Genetic Counselling

From Black's Medical Dictionary, 43rd Edition
The procedure whereby advice is given about the risks of family members having or an individual giving birth to a baby with a genetic disorder and the options that are open to those at risk. The first action is usually to find out any diagnoses in the family, as this is essential before giving any…
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Full text Article genetic counselling

From Penguin Dictionary of Biology
Service, generally provided by specialists in human genetic disorders. Seeks to explain to parents with children already affected by genetic disorders the nature of those disorders, and the probability of their (and their children) having further affected offspring, and helps families to reach…
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Full text Article genetic counselling

From Collins Dictionary of Medicine
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Full text Article genetic counselling

From The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology
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Full text Article genetic counselling

From The Macquarie Dictionary
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Full text Article genetic counselling

From Collins English Dictionary
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Full text Article In vitro fertilization (IVF)

From Penguin Dictionary of Biology
Technique developed primarily as a treatment for human infertility. Typically, a woman is superovulated by exogenous gonadotrophins; oocytes collected are matured in a culture medium; fresh or frozen sperm are washed in a suitable medium to induce CAPACITATION and then placed in culture with…
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Full text Article thalassaemias

From Penguin Dictionary of Biology
Inherited disorder whereby the two globins (α and β) involved in haemoglobin production are synthesized in unequal amounts. Normally presents as a heterozygous disease in the Mediterranean region and Asia. In parts of Italy, over 10% of the population are carriers of the α-globin gene and the α + …
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Full text Article genetic

From The Chambers Dictionary
causal, relating to origin; of or relating to genes or genetics. combining form productive of, as in pathogenetic . [ genesis ] adv. /-i-sist/ n a student of genetics. n sing the branch of biology dealing with heredity and variation; inherited characteristics of an organism; origin; development. ❑…
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