Reproductive Geneticist
vs.
Medical Geneticist
Reproductive Geneticist
- Specialty: Focuses specifically on genetics related to reproduction and fertility. Mostly works to prevent genetic disease from happening
- Role: Works with couples and individuals who are planning to conceive or who are undergoing fertility treatments. They often perform genetic testing on Couples to determine their risk of having an affected child or embryos during IVF (in vitro fertilization) to ensure they are free from certain genetic conditions. Reproductive genetic specialists also can help couples with recurrent pregnancy loss who do not have any fertility problems, however, have a challenging path to a live birth. Additionally, Reproductive geneticist subspecialists help people with hereditary cancer genetics or a family history of hereditary genetic problems to have a healthy future family.
- Scope of Practice: Includes pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and screening (PGS), carrier screening for genetic conditions that can affect offspring, and advising on genetic risks related to reproductive health. Also able to diagnose genes that caused familial genetic disease to counsel the couple properly on their reproduction path to having a healthy family.
- Example Situations: Helping a couple with a history of genetic disorders ensure their embryos are healthy before implantation, screening for genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs disease.
- Specialty: Focuses on the diagnosis and management of genetic disorders across all stages of life, not just related to reproduction. Mostly deal with after birth with treatment and resources of an affected child or adult.
- Role: Works with patients of all ages who may have genetic disorders or are at risk of genetic diseases. They diagnose conditions, provide management plans, and offer genetic counseling.
- Scope of Practice: Includes a wide range of genetic testing and counseling services, from prenatal genetic testing to managing inherited diseases such as muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, or cancer predispositions.
- Example Situations: Diagnosing a child with a suspected genetic syndrome, providing genetic counseling for a family with a history of Huntington’s disease, or helping manage a patient with a known genetic disorder.
Medical Geneticist
Key Differences
- Focus Area: Reproductive geneticists concentrate on genetics related to conception and early embryonic development to prevent the passing, of the genetic disorder to the next generation while medical geneticists cover all aspects of care and support for individuals who is affected by a genetic disorder across the lifespan.
- Patient Population: Reproductive geneticists primarily work with couples or individuals seeking to conceive, whereas medical geneticists see a broad range of patients, from newborns to the elderly, with various genetic concerns.
- Types of Genetic Testing: Reproductive geneticists often perform pre-implantation genetic testing and carrier screening, while medical geneticists conduct a wide variety of genetic tests for diagnostic purposes.