The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Genetic knowledge and family relationships two case studies

Genetic knowledge and family relationships two case studies
Genetic knowledge and family relationships two case studies
There is an explosion of interest in the ‘new genetics’, and increasingly people are being referred to regional genetic clinics (RGC) for counselling and advice. This study of 30 families looked at the process of genetic counselling in one clinic in the North of England. Consultations were video recorded and the geneticist was interviewed after the clinic. Patients and their families were subsequently interviewed at home. Using some of the data from this qualitative study, and a case study approach, this paper looks at the way in which new genetic information may crucially affect social relationships within families. The geneticist at this clinic spent most of the consultation time looking for a diagnosis, explaining the details of genetic inheritance and considering the risks to future offspring. Psychosocial issues such as stigmatization, guilt or possible damage to social relationships were rarely discussed. Warnings are often given about the dangers of the ‘new genetics’, particularly in the areas of insurance or employment. However, unless we train sufficient genetic counsellors to deal with psychosocial issues as well as diagnosis and risk calculation, and unless the NHS provides sufficient money for the necessary clinics and support staff, the way ahead is indeed fraught with difficulty.
counselling, family relationships, genetic, interpersonal relationships
0966-0410
165-171
Chapple, Alison
00321aef-923f-493c-855c-2e5dd72e95b3
May, Carl
17697f8d-98f6-40d3-9cc0-022f04009ae4
Chapple, Alison
00321aef-923f-493c-855c-2e5dd72e95b3
May, Carl
17697f8d-98f6-40d3-9cc0-022f04009ae4

Chapple, Alison and May, Carl (1996) Genetic knowledge and family relationships two case studies. Health & Social Care in the Community, 4 (3), 165-171. (doi:10.1111/j.1365-2524.1996.tb00061.x).

Record type: Article

Abstract

There is an explosion of interest in the ‘new genetics’, and increasingly people are being referred to regional genetic clinics (RGC) for counselling and advice. This study of 30 families looked at the process of genetic counselling in one clinic in the North of England. Consultations were video recorded and the geneticist was interviewed after the clinic. Patients and their families were subsequently interviewed at home. Using some of the data from this qualitative study, and a case study approach, this paper looks at the way in which new genetic information may crucially affect social relationships within families. The geneticist at this clinic spent most of the consultation time looking for a diagnosis, explaining the details of genetic inheritance and considering the risks to future offspring. Psychosocial issues such as stigmatization, guilt or possible damage to social relationships were rarely discussed. Warnings are often given about the dangers of the ‘new genetics’, particularly in the areas of insurance or employment. However, unless we train sufficient genetic counsellors to deal with psychosocial issues as well as diagnosis and risk calculation, and unless the NHS provides sufficient money for the necessary clinics and support staff, the way ahead is indeed fraught with difficulty.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: May 1996
Keywords: counselling, family relationships, genetic, interpersonal relationships

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 163717
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/163717
ISSN: 0966-0410
PURE UUID: 1056f8ff-849e-43eb-8ca7-dbb0fe0ad0ae
ORCID for Carl May: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-0451-2690

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 16 Sep 2010 15:39
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:06

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: Alison Chapple
Author: Carl May ORCID iD

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×