SPRINGFIELD — Genetic counselors can now offer their services without a physician’s referral as defined by a new law sponsored by state Rep. Don Moffitt and signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner as Public Act 99-0633.

The profession of genetic counseling grew when the Human Genome Project completed the mapping of all human DNA in 2003. The project identified approximately 20,500 different human genes. Once DNA was understood at this level, researchers could develop testing and treatment for a long list of genetic disorders.

Illinois was one of three states that required a physician’s referral for patients to seek genetic counseling. This new law removes that requirement.

The law defines genetic counseling in part as, “estimating the likelihood of occurrence or reoccurrence of a birth defect or of any potentially inherited or genetically influenced condition.”

It also says that genetic counselors are not authorized to diagnose or treat any genetic or other disease or disorder.

“This is an exciting bill that will help make genetic counseling more accessible, take less time and lower health care costs for patients,” said Rep. Moffitt. “Further, this will allow patients to be more proactive about their health and the health of their families.”

The law provides for counselors to help individuals and families understand the medical, psychological and social implications of a genetic disorder and facilitate the patient or family’s adjustment to the condition by addressing their needs for support.

A press release from Moffitt’s office states, “many physicians believe removal of this referral step will improve patients’ access to care and the overall practice environment. Often, public health departments in rural areas come in contact with clients who have a genetic condition in their family and would like to gain a better understanding, but there is no physician on staff to issue a referral to a genetic counselor.”

Public Act 99-0633 was supported by the Genetic Task Force of Illinois, the Illinois Rural Health Association and the Illinois Public Health Association.

Genetic Disorders

The National Human Genome Research Institute list of genetic disorders.

• Achondroplasia

• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

• Antiphospholipid Syndrome

• Autism

• Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

• Breast cancer

• Charcot-Marie-Tooth

• Colon cancer

• Cri du chat

• Crohn's Disease

• Cystic fibrosis

• Dercum Disease

• Down Syndrome

• Duane Syndrome

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

• Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia

• Familial Hypercholesterolemia

• Familial Mediterranean Fever

• Fragile X Syndrome

• Gaucher Disease

• Hemochromatosis

• Hemophilia

• Holoprosencephaly

• Huntington's disease

• Klinefelter syndrome

• Marfan syndrome

• Myotonic Dystrophy

• Neurofibromatosis

• Noonan Syndrome

• Osteogenesis Imperfecta

• Parkinson's disease

• Phenylketonuria

• Poland Anomaly

• Porphyria

• Progeria

• Prostate Cancer

• Retinitis Pigmentosa

• Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

• Sickle cell disease

• Skin Cancer

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy

• Tay-Sachs

• Thalassemia

• Trimethylaminuria

• Turner Syndrome

• Velocardiofacial Syndrome

• WAGR Syndrome

• Wilson Disease