1. SECTIONS:
2. preface & acknowledgements
3. genetics at a glance
4. contacts, support & testing
5. testing & pregnancy
6. newborn screening
7. cancer in the family
8. cardiovascular conditions
9. chromosomal conditions
10. clotting & bleeding conditions
11. cystic fibrosis
12. diabetes
13. fragile X syndrome and other causes of developmental delay
14. haemoglobinopathies
15. hereditary haemochromatosis
16. neurofibromatosis
17. neurological conditions
18. psychiatric conditions
19. genetics in practice
20. emerging genetic technologies
21. glossary

Preface and acknowledgements

 

Rapid advances in genetics have led to major impacts upon general practitioners’ (GPs) needs to better understand and provide information and referrals on genetic conditions to patients and their families.

 

In late 2004, the Australian Government Agency, Biotechnology Australia initiated a project to develop a national educational resource on genetic medicine for Australian GPs. The outcome of this project is the Genetics in Family Medicine: The Australian Handbook for General Practitioners.

 

The major work in developing this was undertaken by the Genetics Education in Medicine (GEM) Consortium, whose work was informed by a nationwide GPs’ needs assessment, consumer input, and a mapping exercise of current Australian resources. Genetics in Family Medicine: The Australian Handbook for General Practitioners aims to support GPs dealing with genetic medicine in their everyday practice. The handbook includes information aimed predominantly for use by general practitioners and other primary healthcare professionals; with relevant consumer information making up the Patient and family fact sheets.

 

Genetics in Family Medicine: The Australian Handbook for General Practitioners represents a culmination of previous efforts, building on existing resources, to meet the current and future needs of GPs in the area of genetic medicine. In developing this handbook two existing publications have been largely referred to:

1. The Genetics File – A resource for GPs (2003), Genetics Education, Murdoch Childrens Research
   Institute, Victoria
2. The Australasian Genetics Resource Book (7th edition, 2004), The Centre for Genetics Education,
   NSW Health, New South Wales

 

Responding to identified current needs, we have produced new sections on clotting and bleeding conditions, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and consumer support groups. The support and input from the National Advisory Group on Genetics Education for General Practitioners, appointed by Biotechnology Australia to steer the development of the resources, has been invaluable, and the quality of this resource reflects the calibre and dedication of all involved, to improve genetic resources for GPs, and their patients and families.

 

We would also like to thank and acknowledge all the contributors and organisations who have provided their expert knowledge in reviewing this resource.

 

 

Biotechnology Australia is the Australian Government body responsible for coordinating all non-regulatory biotechnology issues. Biotechnology Australia's Public Awareness Program aims to increase the public's general awareness of biotechnology and its uses, through the provision of balanced and factual information explaining the technology, its applications, and regulations to safeguard people and the environment.

 

We work with a wide range of experts and government authorities including the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, State and Territory Governments, local councils, Cooperative Research Centres, Universities, various teachers associations and community groups; to provide factual information across a broad range of issues to enable the community to make informed choices on the applications of biotechnology.

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