Hereditary illnesses, genetic counselling and family and social networks: from intergenerational ethics to the role of the elderly

Abstract

This paper presents a literature review on research and intervention in family and social networks in the scope of genetic counselling. It addresses the role of the oldest family members in the psychosocial adaptation to genetic risk for hereditary illnesses in the family (particularly to hereditary cancers) and its implications for genetic counselling, namely social support and the intrafamilial communication of genetic risk.