Recently, a symposium was organised in Hyderabad by the Board of Genetic Counselling – India (BGS-I), to create awareness on the importance of genetic counselling. Genetic disorders are a very serious health issue in our country. Everyday hundreds of children are born with birth defects leading to disability and death. There is an urgent need to work towards making available informed choices to parents to reduce the number of children being born with disability.
The BGC-I, at present, is in its nascent stage. Its objective is to spread information on importance of genetic counselling through trained genetic counsellors to parents. Lets understand what is meant by genetic counselling and genetic counsellors:
Genetic counselling, unlike psychological counselling, is a process by which parents and their families are informed about inheritance pattern and the risk of their reoccurence. It guides the parents through testing and management options.
The genetic counsellors are health professionals with an education in genetics and a certificate in genetic counselling. They not only offer support and guidance to the parents but also become a bridge between the patient and the doctor.
A big question is who should get tested? Though every couple should have preconception or early pregnancy test done in case the previous child is affected but the test is strongly recommended in the following cases:
Consanguineous marriages
Either partner is affected by a hereditary disorder
History of genetic disorder in the family
History of multiple pregnancy losses
Congenital anomalies detected in children
Isn’t it an irony that our society spends much time and money in matching horoscopes of their sons and daughters of marriageable age but shy away from pre-nuptial screening or testing!! Pre-marriage counselling and early pregnancy testing should be made mandatory.
