Genetic resources

Click the link below for a list of private genetic counselling services available across Australia. This list is not necessarily complete, and we welcome the opportunity to add further providers.

sonicgenetics.com.au/counsellingproviders

Click the link below for a list of all HGSA-registered genetic counselling providers available across Australia.

www.hgsa.org.au/asgc/find-a-genetic-counsellor

Click the link below for an outline of the purpose and process of genetic counselling.

Genetic counselling information for Doctors

Click the link below to download a copy of the 2018 RACGP publication that is intended to be used as a point-of-care reference for GPs. It is designed to assist in clinical decision-making by presenting a snapshot view of the identification and diagnosis of a range of genetic conditions, and the use of genetic testing and technologies encountered in general practice.

www.sonicgenetics.com.au/geneticsingeneralpractice

In 2019, the College's Journal published an article regarding genetic testing and insurance in Australia.

The Australian National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has a variety of resources for patients, families, and doctors available through its website.

https://nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/genomics

The NSW Centre for Genetics Education provides information about genetics in healthcare in general, together with information about specific disorders. It includes general information about some social and legal issues in genetics such as genetics and insurance, and genetics and confidentiality. https://www.genetics.edu.au/SitePages/Home.aspx

The NSW Centre for Genetics Education also lists the genetic counselling services provided by State Departments of Health nationally. Genetic counselling services are also provided by some private prenatal clinics and other private providers. https://www.genetics.edu.au/SitePages/Genetic-Counselling.aspx

The NSW Centre for Genetics Education maintains a list of support groups in Australia for people with specific genetic disorders and their families. https://www.genetics.edu.au/SitePages/Support-groups.aspx

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia is the professional body responsible for the training and accreditation of pathologists and medical scientists in Australasia. It has released a series of information leaflets for patients and families regarding medical testing, including some that specifically address issues of genetic testing.

http://www.rcpa.edu.au/Library/Fact-Sheets/Pathology-The-Facts

A general resource for genetics in human society is provided by the Public Health Genomics Foundation based in Cambridge, UK.

http://www.phgfoundation.org/

The National Institute of Health (NIH) in the US provides general information about genetics,  genetic testing and specific information about particular disorders through MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/

A series of reviews of genetic disorders has been developed by the NIH. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1116/

A resource to explain genetic changes that can occur in cancer has been developed by the Vanderbilt Cancer Centre in the US. http://www.mycancergenome.org/

Resources have also been developed by the UK's National Health Service. https://www.england.nhs.uk/genomics/

In Australia genetic information, which includes personal medical history and results of genetic tests and information about the health of your patients and their relatives can have implications for life insurance policies. Please click below for more information:

Centre for Genetics Education (NSW Health) life insurance and genetic testing