genetic counseling

[juh-net-ik koun-suh-ling]

noun

Medicine/Medical, Psychology.

1. the counseling of individuals with questions, concerns, or general interest in their genetic profiles and histories: genetic counseling can address issues that include inheritance patterns and risks to future offspring, personal risks of cancer and other diseases, and medical and psychological challenges of genetic predispositions.

genetic counseling

1. The counseling of individuals, especially prospective parents with respect to their offspring, about the statistical probabilities of inheriting genetic diseases and the nature, diagnosis, and treatment of such diseases.

genetic counseling

1. The practice of counseling a person about the results of genetic testing so that the results are accurately understood. The person being counseled may then make a more informed decision about any actions to be taken.

Other Word Forms

• genetic counselor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of genetic counseling¹

First recorded in 1965–70