Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and family implications of genetic contributions to disease (Resta et al., 2006).

Genetic counselors are trained to:‍

(1) Review and interpret your family history to assess your risk of genetic diseases.
(2) Help you identify and decide if genetic testing is right for you.
(3) Present genetic results in an understandable way.
(4) Help you understand what actions you can take based on your results (for example, management recommendations, resources, and research studies).

The goal of the genetic counseling process is to communicate and use psychosocial counseling skills to empower patients in the decisions they make regarding obtaining and using their genetic information.

Genetic counselors are health professionals who work with advanced training in medical genetics and counseling.

*It should be noted that there are other health professionals who practice genetic counseling and do not have the title of genetic counselors. These may include geneticists, nurses, and other professionals with advanced training who can practice genetic counseling.

With the advancement of genomics and the availability of low-cost tests, there is an increased demand for genetic testing services. These services require health professionals with genetic training to interpret the complexities of these tests. Genetic counseling provides a unique means of addressing the educational and psychosocial needs of each individual and their families, ensuring that each person is prepared for the physical and emotional implications of testing and/or a genetic diagnosis.

Historically, the field of genetic counseling has been integrated into eugenic practices, current attempts to frame their approaches against those of these past practices and aims to maintain vigilance that new genetic developments are not misused in the future (Resta, 2018).

The functions of genetic counselors are not yet recognized as independent professions in most parts of Latin America. As a result, genetic counseling services are generally provided by doctors (geneticists and oncologists), although some nurses have even reported providing genetic counseling services, despite having little training.

Currently, there are very few formally trained genetic counselors in Latin America due, at least in part, to limited access to training programs. There are currently two formal genetic counseling programs, including the master's programs in Cuba and Brazil. Our hope through this Splagen is to better understand unmet genetic counseling needs, to collaborate in the formal training and accreditation of genetic counselors, and to contribute to the advancement of genetic counseling in Latin America.