About GENESIS Clinical Genetics

Genesis Clinical Genetics is Queensland's premier private genetics consultation practice.  Genesis offers specialist genetic counselling for individuals and their families.  Some genetic conditions may involve many family members and may have been a part of a family's history from generations.  There is an increasing interest in genetics as an area of specialist medicine.

Who requests genetic counselling?

• Where there is a family history of a known genetic disorder
• Children or adults with diagnosed or undiagnosed dysmorphic or non-dysmorphic syndromes
• Where there is family predisposition to breast or bowel cancer
• A person affected by a genetic neurodegenerative disorder
  
• Repeated miscarriages, infertility or stillbirths
• Presymptomatic testing for potentially inherited disorders
• Individuals who are diagnosed with a genetic condition
  
• Couples for pre-conception counselling
  
• Abnormalities of prenatal screening or testing

What is genetic counselling?

Genetic counselling is a communication process which deals with human problems associated with the occurrence or risk of occurrence of genetic disorders in a family.  This process involves an attempt by one or more appropriately trained persons to help the individual or family to:

• Comprehend the medical facts including the diagnosis, probable course of the disorder and the available management
  
• Appreciate the way hereditary contributes to the disorder and the risk of recurrence in specified relatives
  
• Understand the alternatives for dealing with the risk of recurrence
  
• Choose a course of action which seems to them appropriate in view of their risk, their family goals, and their ethical and religious standards and act in accordance with that decision
  
• And to make the best possible adjustment to the disorder in an affected family member and/or to the risk of recurrence of that disorder
  

(HGSA Genetic Counselling Guidelines)

As we are a specialist medical practice, a referral from a medical practitioner to Dr. Stephen Withers is required for a Medicare rebate for the consultation.