Harmonizing the genetic counselor profession in Europe.

IF 4.6 2区生物学 Q2 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

European Journal of Human Genetics Pub Date : 2026-05-05 DOI:10.1038/s41431-026-02097-8

Rebecka Pestoff, Christophe Cordier, Donna Darmanin, Katrin Õunap, Christi J van Asperen

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Abstract

Genetics in medicine is rapidly becoming integral to European healthcare, yet access to high-quality genetic counseling remains inconsistent. Genetic counseling empowers patients to make informed decisions about genetic testing, improves clinical management, and mitigates psychosocial harm. Despite growing demand, the genetic counselor profession lacks legal recognition, standardized education, and harmonized regulation across European Union (EU) Member States. Current fragmentation, which is evident in separate national laws and variable practices, poses systemic risks, including inequitable care and credentialing barriers. This paper argues that harmonization is essential to ensure ethical, safe, and effective genetic services. We recommend EU-wide legal recognition of genetic counselors, standardized education through EBMG-accredited programs, and investment in workforce development and education. Coordinated action can safeguard individuals' rights, support professional mobility, and enable responsible integration of genomics into healthcare.

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协调欧洲的遗传咨询师职业。

医学遗传学正迅速成为欧洲医疗保健不可或缺的一部分，但获得高质量的遗传咨询仍然不一致。遗传咨询使患者能够对基因检测做出明智的决定，改善临床管理，减轻社会心理伤害。尽管需求不断增长，但遗传咨询师职业缺乏法律认可、标准化教育和欧盟成员国的协调监管。目前的碎片化表现在各自的国家法律和不同的做法上，这构成了系统性风险，包括不公平的护理和资格认证障碍。本文认为，协调对于确保伦理、安全和有效的遗传服务至关重要。我们建议在欧盟范围内对遗传咨询师进行法律认可，通过ebmg认证的项目进行标准化教育，并在劳动力发展和教育方面进行投资。协调一致的行动可以保护个人权利，支持专业人员流动，并使基因组学负责任地融入医疗保健。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

European Journal of Human Genetics 生物-生化与分子生物学

CiteScore

9.90

自引率

5.80%

发文量

216

审稿时长

2 months

期刊介绍： The European Journal of Human Genetics is the official journal of the European Society of Human Genetics, publishing high-quality, original research papers, short reports and reviews in the rapidly expanding field of human genetics and genomics. It covers molecular, clinical and cytogenetics, interfacing between advanced biomedical research and the clinician, and bridging the great diversity of facilities, resources and viewpoints in the genetics community. Key areas include: -Monogenic and multifactorial disorders -Development and malformation -Hereditary cancer -Medical Genomics -Gene mapping and functional studies -Genotype-phenotype correlations -Genetic variation and genome diversity -Statistical and computational genetics -Bioinformatics -Advances in diagnostics -Therapy and prevention -Animal models -Genetic services -Community genetics