As used in the Genetic Counseling Act:

A. "ABGC" means the American board of genetic counseling, a national agency for certification and recertification of genetic counselors, or its successor agency;

B. "ABMG" means the American board of medical genetics, a national agency for certification and recertification of genetic counselors and geneticists with medical or other doctoral degrees, or its successor agency;

C. "board" means the New Mexico medical board;

D. "genetic counseling" means a communication process that may include:

(1) estimating the likelihood of occurrence or recurrence of any potentially inherited or genetically influenced condition or congenital abnormality. "Genetic counseling" may involve:

(a) obtaining and analyzing the complete health history of an individual and family members;

(b) reviewing pertinent medical records;

(c) evaluating the risks from exposure to possible mutagens or teratogens; and

(d) determining appropriate genetic testing or other evaluations to diagnose a condition or determine the carrier status of one or more family members;

(2) helping an individual, family or health care provider to:

(a) appreciate the medical, psychological and social implications of a disorder, including its features, variability, usual course and management options;

(b) learn how genetic factors contribute to a disorder and affect the chance for occurrence of the disorder in other family members;

(c) understand available options for coping with, preventing or reducing the chance of occurrence or recurrence of a disorder;

(d) select the most appropriate, accurate and cost-effective methods of diagnosis; and

(e) understand genetic or prenatal tests, coordinate testing for inherited disorders and interpret complex genetic test results; and

(3) facilitating an individual's or family's:

(a) exploration of the perception of risk and burden associated with a genetic disorder; and

(b) adjustment and adaptation to a disorder or the individual's or family's genetic risk by addressing needs for psychological, social and medical support; and

E. "genetic counselor" means a person licensed pursuant to the Genetic Counseling Act to engage in the practice of genetic counseling.

History: Laws 2008, ch. 53, § 3.

Effective dates. — Laws 2008, ch. 53 § 14 made the Genetic Counseling Act effective July 1, 2009.