One of the hallmarks of medical genetics is non-directive counselling. Therefore, I was dismayed to read the case for selective paternalism in genetic testing in Wired’s Neuron Culture. In most cases, genetic tests only provide information and patients need to determine if they want the information and/or what to do with it. Genetic counsellors should […]
Penetrance vs. expressivity: why the confusion?
There are lots of new terms at the start of medical school but two terms – penetrance and expressivity – seem to cause undue stress and confusion. One of the first areas of learning for the students is genetics, hopefully because it is central to understanding everything. Is the confusion due to being overwhelmed, strange […]