中国目前的遗传咨询

In1975,the American Society of Human Genetics adopted the following definition of genetic counseling:ge-netic counseling is a communication process which deals with the human problems associated with the occurrence orrisk of occurrence of a genetic disord…

Current genetic counseling in China

In 1975, the American Society of Human Genetics adopted the following definition of genetic counseling: genetic counseling is a communication process which deals with the human problems associated with the occurrence or risk of occurrence of a genetic disorder in a family. This definition indicates that genetic counseling is the delivery of information about genetic diseases, including genetic risks, natural history of the disease, and clinical management of the disease, to patients and their families. Although genetic counseling is not a new word for both western countries and China, the development of which is quite different. Many excellent genetic counseling programs have been developed since then in developed countries, whereas there is no formal one in China. In the United States, professionals who carry out genetic counseling must have taken a professional training and have had the certificate of American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) (www.abgc.net). The ABGC prepares and administers examinations to certify individuals who provide services in the medical genetics specialty of genetic counseling, and accredits training programs in the field of genetic counseling. There are more than two dozen master degree programs of genetic counseling accredited by the ABGC with either full, interim, or recognized new programs (www.abgc.net). There are twenty-one full credential programs in the United States, three in Australia, three in Canada and two in United Kingdom (www.abgc.net). Looking through all over the China, there is no any official genetic counseling program, so neither any professional genetic counselor. Genetic counseling in China now is not offered by professionally trained genetic counselors, but clinicians such as pediatricians or obstetricians1]. These clinicians who performing genetic counseling in China have not been trained professionally on genetic counseling. Further more, there is no any board to certificate counselors.