Science has helped us understand how blue eyes or baldness as well as other inherited traits both harmless and harmful can run in a family. In the past few decades, largely due to the Human Genome Project and other scientific endeavors, knowledge has exploded in the field of human genetics.

Genetic services available in New Jersey include direct clinical care services as well as activities such as screening programs and laboratory services, educational activities and birth defects surveillance. The State of New Jersey partially funds a network of Genetic Centers [see the list at bottom of page] that provide testing, diagnosis, and ongoing management and comprehensive care of genetic conditions. Physicians specially trained in medical genetics, along with genetic counselors, nurses, social workers and other medical specialists provide comprehensive care to patients with genetic concerns.

Services may include some or all of the following: a review of your family and medical history; physical examination; laboratory testing; genetic counseling/education; and management or referral to other specialists experienced in treating or managing rare disorders. These services can provide information on certain disorders that you or your child may have inherited, how genetic conditions may be passed from one generation to another in a family, and what the risks are that certain conditions will affect you, your present or future pregnancies, or other members of your family.

Genetic counseling translates the science of genetics into practical information. Anyone who has unanswered questions about diseases or traits in their family should consider genetic counseling. People who might be especially interested are:

Resources:

American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) http://www.acmg.net

Genetic Alliance http://www.geneticalliance.org/

Genetics Home Reference http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/

Human Genetics Association of New Jersey (HGANJ) http://www.hganj.org

National Newborn Screening & Genetic Resource Center (NNSGRC) http://genes-r-us.uthscsa.edu/

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD) http://www.rarediseases.org/

National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) http://www.nsgc.org

Directory of Comprehensive Genetic Centers in New Jersey

*Children's Hospital of New Jersey Newark Beth Israel Medical Center 201 Lyons Avenue Newark, NJ 07112 Phone: (973) 926-4446

*Hackensack University Medical Center Genetics Service Don Imus Pediatric Center-Room 258 30 Prospect Avenue Hackensack, NJ 07601-1991 Phone (201) 996-5264 Outreach Clinics: Hoboken, Parsippany

*Saint Peter's University Hospital Institute for Genetic Medicine 254 Easton Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08903 Phone: (732) 745-6659

*St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center Section of Genetics 703 Main Street Paterson, NJ 07503-2691 Phone: (973) 754-2727 Outreach Clinic: Fairfield

*UMDNJ/NJ Medical School Center for Human & Molecular Genetics 90 Bergen Street, Suite 5400 Newark, NJ 07103-2499 Phone: (973) 972-3300 Outreach Clinics: Pompton Plains, West New York

*Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center Division of Genetics 3 Cooper Plaza, Suite 309 Camden, NJ 08103 -1400 Phone: (856) 968-7255 Outreach Clinic: Childrens Regional Center at Voorhees

*Partially Funded By The New Jersey Department Of Health

Updated on 6/14/2013

Original post:
NJDOH - New Born Screening & Genetic Services

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