§ 61-6a-3

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

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