Subsection 2: Professional rules

Genetic counsellors practise their profession with respect for life and the human person. They act in all circumstances in the interests of the persons who consult them, whose dignity and privacy they respect.

Once the genetic counsellor has agreed to take charge of a person, he or she is obliged to ensure the follow-up and continuity of this care.

Genetic counsellors shall only perform those professional acts which fall within their remit by virtue of the provisions of Article L. 1132-1.

Genetic counsellors and trainees undergoing training to become genetic counsellors are subject to professional secrecy under the conditions set out in Articles 226-13 and 223-14 of the French Penal Code. Secrecy covers not only what has been entrusted to them, but also what has been seen, read, heard, observed or understood. The genetic counsellor instructs the persons assisting him/her of their obligations in terms of professional secrecy and ensures that…

The genetic counsellor shall apply and comply with the organisational protocols and, where appropriate, the management protocols defined by the prescribing doctor. The genetic counsellor shall ask the qualified medical practitioner under whose responsibility he/she acts for further information whenever he/she considers it useful, in particular if he/she considers that he/she is not sufficiently informed. The genetic counsellor communicates to the qualified medical practitioner under whose responsibility he/she intervenes any…

The genetic counsellor provides the persons who consult him with all the information and explanations required in a complete, appropriate, intelligible and fair manner based on precise and validated scientific data, helping them to make an informed choice. It carefully prepares the documents required by the people who consult it. It is forbidden to make or encourage fraudulent use of these documents, or to draw up documents of convenience.

The genetic counsellor helps each person who consults him or her with the same conscience and without discrimination, whatever feelings he or she may have towards that person, and without seeking to exploit that person’s trust for personal or financial gain. They respect the freedom and personal choices of those who consult them.

The genetic counsellor shall ensure the protection of all documents which he or she may hold against any indiscretion by preserving at the place of practice, as far as possible, the confidentiality of the data collected and their analysis and by taking all precautions in his or her power to prevent unauthorised persons from having access to the data which he or she is called upon to use in the…

Genetic counsellors have an obligation to update their knowledge and to keep abreast of changes in legislation, regulations and good professional practice relating to their activity. He/she must recognise the limits of his/her knowledge and skills and, if necessary, refer the consultant and his/her family to another health professional likely to meet their needs.

The genetic counsellor respects the right of persons who consult him or her to consult the health professional of their choice.