Answering your questions about genetics and your health | Genes in Life

1. http://www.genesinlife.org

2. Genes in Life • Genes in Life is a place to learn about all the ways genetics is a part of your life. On this site you will learn: • How genetics affects you • How genetics affects your family • Why you should talk to your healthcare providers about genetics • How to get involved in genetics research • …and more! • The goal of Genes in Life is to answer your questions about genetics. If we cannot answer them, we will show you where to go to get the answers you need from other places. Whether you want information on a specific genetic condition or just want to know how genes work, this is the website for you.

3. Importance of Genetics on Health • Genetics helps to explain: • What makes you unique, or one of a kind • Why family members look alike • Why some diseases run in families • Family members share genes, habits, lifestyles, and surroundings. These things can affect health and the risk for illness. Most people have a relative with a chronic disease – such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes – or a health condition such as high cholesterol. If you have a close family member with a chronic disease, you may be more likely to get that disease. • Taking time to learn about the diseases that run in your family is worth it! It will help you understand your own health and make healthy choices.

4. Genes and Your Health Genetics helps to explain what makes you unique (one of a kind), why family members look alike, and why some diseases run in families. Taking time to learn about it all is worth it! It will help you understand your own health and make healthy choices.

5. Genes and Your Health • Why is genetics important to my health? • How do genes impact health and disease? • How can knowing my family history help me stay healthy? • How do I collect my family history? • How can my choices affect my health? • Why should I bring this information to my healthcare provider? • What are the chances my child will inherit a condition?

6. Testing & Services Genetic testing can sometimes help you learn more about your health. There are several different kinds of genetic testing that you can get at different stages of your life. Certain healthcare providers can help you make decisions about testing based on your health and what you want to learn. It is important to think about what these tests can and cannot tell you about your health before making any decisions.

7. After Diagnosis • If you or a family member is diagnosed with a genetic condition, it can seem overwhelming. There are many things to think about and people that can help you through the process. The steps below can help you get the information and support you need. Take these steps in any order. • Find information and support • Talk to your healthcare provider • Talk to your family • Plan for the future • Insurance and financial planning • Transition for children

8. Testing & Services • Testing for genetic conditions • Carrier screening • Diagnostic testing • Direct-to-consumer genetic testing • Newborn screening • Pharmacogenomic testing • Predictive testing • Pregnancy related screening • Working with healthcare professionals • Geneticists • Genetic counselors • Primary care providers • Specialists

9. Research • Genetics research can tell us more about how our genes work. Scientists who do genetics research want to use what they learn to improve human health. For example, genetics research may bring us new drugs or other treatments for disease. Before this can happen, genetics researchers must do experiments. • Basic science research • Research in people • Registries and biobanks • Clinical trials

10. Thank You !