Genes in Life provides answer to your questions about genetics and health. It is the place where you learn the importance and effects of genetics on human life. Visit http://genesinlife.org/ .

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. T h a n k Yo u !