Counselling and Consent for Human Genetic Tests
As per the requirements of the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) document “Classification of human genetic testing”, a clinician requesting genetic testing should ensure that the person or legal guardian provides consent for the investigation, and that professional genetic counselling precedes and accompanies the test.Two levels of DNA testing have been identified in the document:
Level 1 - Testing for diagnostic purposes (e.g. confirmation of a disorder in a patient with clinical indicators or a family history of an established inherited disorder)
Level 2 - Predictive or pre-symptomatic testing, for conditions for which there is no simple treatment. Specific written consent and counselling issues apply.
Distinction between Level 1 and 2 testing is usually made by the requesting clinician; in case of doubt it is advised that the process to be managed as a level 2 investigation.
In case of level 2 genetic testing, please ensure that consent has been obtained, and counselling managed, and that this is communicated to our laboratory.
If further advice on genetic counselling is required, contact
- Ivan Macciocca,
Genetic Counsellor, Genetic Health Services Victoria,
Phone: 03 8341 6373
Fax: 03 8341 6390
Please also refer to the supporting publications:
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Classification of Human Genetic Testing - 2007 Edition (69.4 Kb, PDF)
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Ethical aspects of human genetic testing (452.9 Kb, PDF)
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Laboratory accreditation standards and guidelines for nucleic acid detection and analysis (248.7 Kb, PDF)