Genetic Counseling Services and Development of Training Programs in Malaysia

Genetic counseling service is urgently required in developing countries. In Malaysia, the first medical genetic service was introduced in 1994 at one of the main teaching hospitals in Kuala Lumpur. Two decades later, the medical genetic services have improved with the availability of genetic counsel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of genetic counseling 2013-12, Vol.22 (6), p.911-916
Main Authors: Lee, Juliana Mei-Har, Thong, Meow-Keong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asia
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Career Mobility
Clinical Psychology
Cultural Competency
Developing country
Education, Professional - organization & administration
Ethics
Female
Genetic Counseling
Genetic Counseling: A Global Perspective
Genetic testing
Gynecology
Human Genetics
Humans
Malaysia
Medical genetics
Multicultural
Pregnancy
Public Health
Public Health Administration
Training
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Summary:Genetic counseling service is urgently required in developing countries. In Malaysia, the first medical genetic service was introduced in 1994 at one of the main teaching hospitals in Kuala Lumpur. Two decades later, the medical genetic services have improved with the availability of genetic counseling, genetic testing and diagnosis, for both paediatric conditions and adult-onset inherited conditions, at four main centers of medical genetic services in Malaysia. Prenatal diagnosis services and assisted reproductive technologies are available at tertiary centres and private medical facilities. Positive developments include governmental recognition of Clinical Genetics as a subspecialty, increased funding for genetics services, development of medical ethics guidelines, and establishment of support groups. However, the country lacked qualified genetic counselors. Proposals were presented to policy-makers to develop genetic counseling courses. Challenges encountered included limited resources and public awareness, ethical dilemmas such as religious and social issues and inadequate genetic health professionals especially genetic counselors.
ISSN:1059-7700
1573-3599
DOI:10.1007/s10897-013-9589-z