“Ultimately medical genetics is about the patient and is trying to take us from the gene to the molecule to the organ and how that fits in with the body in general. Therein lies the continuing hope for the future.”
When I tell people I am a clinical genetics doctor they say, “Oh, that’s a shame, do you miss not seeing the patients now?”
Sadly this is how many people view genetics and the images portrayed by the media and artists like Jake and Dinos Chapman in the recent exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery help perpetuate this idea of genetic monsters.
Personally I see patients all the time, working closely with Cytogenetic and Molecular laboratories.
Medical Genetics is a diagnostic and counselling service for individuals or families concerned about the suspected or confirmed diagnosis of a genetic disorder.