A patient and her future husband completed genetic testing through a laboratory

1 -- Genetic tests are often offered by laboratories before the tests have been proven safe, effective, and practical. Because the majority of genetic conditions are rare, there is often only one laboratory that offers a particular genetic test. Recently there has been much concern about “direct-to-consumer” genetic testing, which are offered at walk-in locations and also via the Internet. These tests offer individuals genetic testing results in private without a physician’s order and fear of discrimination, but also without education about the implications of the test results. The other nursing responses are offering advice, which is not considered therapeutic communication.