Genetics are playing an increasingly growing role in our understanding of medical conditions and treatment. The Harvey Institute for Human Genetics at GBMC provides expertise in the field.
The Institute’s staff includes three physicians board-certified in their specialty as well as genetics, and three genetic counselors. Genetic testing helps find information that can be acted upon to help build treatment plans, manage pregnancy, and more.
Patients can expect to meet with a genetic counselor to take a family medical history. Risks of certain genetic diseases or disorders are explained by a compassionate counselor, and testing takes about two weeks. Test results are confidential and do not affect heath insurance coverage.
As researchers better understand the link between medical conditions and genetics, testing could become a regular part of medical visits. “In the long run, that type of testing could save healthcare dollars because we’ll know what to expect and we’ll know what to look for and we’ll know what things we don’t have to worry about”, says Dr. Antonie Kline, the Director of Pediatric Genetics.
Learn more here.
Day in the Life is presented by GBMC
