Bay Area Genetic Counseling offers genetic counseling and assessment of family history for intended parents, gamete donors, couples undergoing IVF, preconception couples, or anyone interested in understanding their risk of disease based on family history.
family history risk assessment
Family history risk assessment is the process of gathering and analyzing the family history by a genetic counselor to understand risks and offer appropriate genetic testing.
Assessment of the family history is the first step in identifying a possible genetic component to disease. Some important concepts when evaluating a family history for genetic disease include multiple family members with the same disorder, ethnic predisposition to certain diseases, and early age of onset of the condition. The assessment includes a full family history evaluation, data about diseases in the family and risk to offspring, recommendations for genetic testing, a full summary letter, and family tree. For people planning a pregnancy, pre-conception is the ideal time for family history risk assessment.
Family history screening provides different information than genetic testing.
genetic carrier screening
Genetic carrier screening is used to identify hidden genetic changes. Everyone carries a few of these changes. Typically there is no effect of being a carrier, so family history does not reveal carrier status. The goal of genetic screening is to identify couples at risk for having affected offspring (both gamete providers are carriers for the same condition).
genetic testing
This type of testing is offered to individuals suspected of having a genetic condition or to identify individuals at risk for getting a disease based on their family history.
Bay Area Genetic Counseling offers the following services as a supplement to Family History Risk Assessment:
family history risk assessment
Family history risk assessment is the process of gathering and analyzing the family history by a genetic counselor to understand risks and offer appropriate genetic testing.
Assessment of the family history is the first step in identifying a possible genetic component to disease. Some important concepts when evaluating a family history for genetic disease include multiple family members with the same disorder, ethnic predisposition to certain diseases, and early age of onset of the condition. The assessment includes a full family history evaluation, data about diseases in the family and risk to offspring, recommendations for genetic testing, a full summary letter, and family tree. For people planning a pregnancy, pre-conception is the ideal time for family history risk assessment.
Family history screening provides different information than genetic testing.
genetic carrier screening
Genetic carrier screening is used to identify hidden genetic changes. Everyone carries a few of these changes. Typically there is no effect of being a carrier, so family history does not reveal carrier status. The goal of genetic screening is to identify couples at risk for having affected offspring (both gamete providers are carriers for the same condition).
genetic testing
This type of testing is offered to individuals suspected of having a genetic condition or to identify individuals at risk for getting a disease based on their family history.
Bay Area Genetic Counseling offers the following services as a supplement to Family History Risk Assessment:
- Genetic consult for gamete donors: For ovum or sperm donors; anonymous or directed donors.
- Positive genetic carrier screening result follow up: Can be provided for any patient or donor.
- Genetic counseling for family history or personal history of genetic disease, including cancer risk assessment: Any indication can be referred. Any indicated genetic testing can be arranged based on history.
- Genetic counseling prior to preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD): Discussion of PGD, arrangement of genetic testing to identify relevant mutation(s), results consult.
- Genetic counseling for indications during pregnancy, such as abnormal ultrasounds or genetic screening tests: Explanation of test results, discussion of additional testing that may be indicated, secondary opinion.
- Genetic counseling after abnormal pregnancy outcome: Discuss risk for future pregnancy. If a gamete donor was used, follow-up review of family history will be conducted to ensure no change. Provision of relevant information to donor as it affects her risk for future offspring.
- Proactive genetic testing: offers healthy adults without a strong personal or family history of disease an opportunity to learn about how their genes could potentially impact their health.
- Expert witness testimony: Bay Area Genetic Counseling provides expert witness testimony as well as pre-trial consultation and evidence review regarding cases involving genetics, genetic disorders, and birth defects.