§ 36-36-2 — Genetic counseling defined.

For the purposes of this chapter, genetic counseling is a communication process, conducted by appropriately trained persons that includes: (1) Assisting a person, the person's family, a health care provider, or the public with comprehending the issues inherent to genetic counseling. The assistance may include the following: (a) Appreciating the medical, psychological, and social implications of a disorder including features, variability, usual course, and management options; (b) Learning how genetic factors contribute to the disorder and affect the chance for recurrence of the condition in other family members; (c) Understanding available options for coping with, preventing, or reducing the chance of occurrence or recurrence of a condition; (d) Selecting the most appropriate, accurate, and cost-effective methods of diagnosis, including the ordering of genetic tests consistent with the referral and reporting requirements of this chapter; or (e) Understanding genetic tests, including diagnostic genetic tests, screening tests, or predispositional genetic tests, coordinating testing for inherited disorders, and interpreting complex genetic test results; (2) Assessing the likelihood of the occurrence or recurrence of an abnormality in the fetus in structure, function, or metabolism or of any potentially inherited or genetically influenced condition. The assessment may include the following: (a) Obtaining and analyzing a complete health history of a person and the person's family; (b) Reviewing pertinent medical records; (c) Evaluating the risks from exposure to possible mutagens or teratogens; or (d) Ordering genetic testing or other evaluations, consistent with the referral and reporting requirements of this chapter, to diagnose a condition or determine the carrier status of one or more family members; and (3) Facilitating an individual's or family's: (a) Exploration of the perception of risk and burden associated with a genetic disorder; (b) Decision-making regarding testing or medical interventions consistent with the individual's or family's beliefs, goals, needs, resources, or cultural, ethical, or moral views; and (c) Adjustment and adaptation to the condition or the genetic risk by addressing needs for psychological, social, and medical support.

Legislative History

SL 2009, ch 194, § 2; SL 2016, ch 198, § 2.