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

Language considerations when talking
about genetics

1. Studies with consumers with genetic conditions suggest that, for some people, certain commonly used genetic terms may have negative connotations if used without explanation or out of context. While correct medical or scientific terms are accurate, they may often be misunderstood.
   
2. It is important when discussing genetic issues to reflect how the words chosen may impact on a patient’s perceptions and understanding and consider the potential to offend by using insensitive language. Other studies have shown that language can impact on patients’ understanding of genetic information.
   
3. Similar terms may be used to describe quite different situations.
4. eg ‘carrier’ can be used to describe a contagious person, such as with an HIV carrier
   
5. This has led to the term ‘CF carrier’ to be interpreted as cystic fibrosis also being an infectious disease
6. The list below provides examples of some terms that, if not explained, may have potentially negative connotations or be misunderstood.

Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy