The obstetrician/perinatologist should be well informed about recent a
dvances in human genetics that directly impact patient care. New indic
ations for molecular analyses, specific Limitations in their usage, an
d the need for interpretation of complex laboratory results emphasize
the increasingly necessary clinical genetics consultation. The advent
of DNA-based presymptomatic or predictive testing introduces dilemmas
for patients and their families, and raises medical, legal, and ethica
l issues in genetic counseling.