Category : Health and you
Every year, November 14 is observed as Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day — a day dedicated to recognizing professionals who help individuals and families understand the language of their genes.
Genetic counsellors blend science, empathy, and communication to guide patients through questions related to inherited diseases, pregnancy risks, family history, and genetic test results. If DNA is our biological script, genetic counselling helps interpret it like a scientific version of a “health horoscope”, based not on stars, but on our genes and inheritance patterns.
Who is a Genetic Counsellor?
A genetic counsellor is a trained professional with a Master’s degree in Genetics and/or Genetic Counselling, followed by specialized clinical training and certification.
A Brief History of Genetic Counselling in India
The roots of genetic counselling in India go back to the 1970s, when genetic services began to be integrated into medical care.
A major milestone came in 2007, when India’s first dedicated genetic counselling program was launched. The establishment of the Board of Genetic Counseling in 2015 further strengthened the field by standardizing curriculum, training, and ethical practice.
Today, with growing awareness of rare diseases, reproductive genetics, and precision medicine, the demand for genetic counsellors in India continues to rise.
What Do Genetic Counsellors Do?
Genetic counsellors help patients and clinicians make sense of complex genetic information. They:
- Explain DNA, genes, inheritance, and genetic risks
- Take detailed personal and family history
- Assess risk for genetic disorders
- Guide screening, diagnostic testing, and carrier testing
- Support families with undiagnosed or rare conditions
- Provide guidance for family planning, prenatal care, and IVF
- Help interpret complex test reports and variants
- Offer compassionate emotional support
While many genetic conditions may not yet have a cure, timely counselling ensures proper management, informed decisions, and lifelong support.
Examples of When Genetic Counselling Helps
- Child with developmental delay or congenital anomalies
- Recurrent miscarriages or stillbirths
- Abnormal prenatal ultrasound findings
- Planning pregnancy or undergoing IVF
- Family history of cancer or neurological disorders
- Carrier screening before marriage or pregnancy (especially in consanguineous marriage)
- Newborn or child suspected to have a genetic/metabolic condition
- Sudden unexplained childhood illness or early-onset disorders
Inside a Genetic Counselling Appointment
A typical session includes:
- History review — medical, pregnancy, developmental & family tree
- Clinical assessment — physical findings, inheritance analysis
- Discussion — possible diagnosis & genetic basis explained clearly
- Test planning — appropriate tests based on clinical need, not routine panels
- Post-test counselling — interpretation, prognosis, management & family guidance
The counselling is personalised, empathetic, and conducted in language the family understands.
Do You Need Genetic Testing More Than Once?
Usually, your DNA does not change over time. However, interpretation may evolve as new scientific discoveries emerge. In some cases, a new technology may offer clearer answers, so results may be reviewed later — not necessarily retested.
How Often Do You Meet a Genetic Counsellor?
Frequency depends on the condition and stage of care:
- Initial consultation
- When genetic test reports arrive
- Pre-conception or prenatal follow-ups
- Additional visits for complex cases or when planning future pregnancies
Genetic counselling is a continuum of support, not a one-time service.
Meet the Genetic Counselling Team — JSS Hospital, Mysuru
This team supports patients across rare diseases, reproductive genetics, oncology, pediatric genetics, and metabolic disorders.
Why Genetic Counselling Matters
Genetic counsellors bring together:
- Science — deep knowledge of genetics & disease mechanisms
- Communication — simplifying complex information
- Compassion — supporting families through uncertainty
- Ethics — helping make informed, responsible decisions
They empower individuals with knowledge, clarity, and confidence, supporting healthier generations.
A Final Word
As medicine moves toward precision health and preventive care, the role of genetic counsellors becomes increasingly essential.
On this Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day, we celebrate all professionals who decode life’s most fundamental blueprint — and walk alongside families with empathy, expertise, and hope.
By,
Dr. Deepa Bhat & Judes Nisha
Genetic Counsellors
Department of Medical Genetics
JSS AHER
Mysore.