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The Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics - Extra Materials - Springer

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Fragile X 493<br />

Editors’ Foreword to Section VI<br />

<strong>The</strong> progress that has been made in the clinical analysis <strong>of</strong> chromosomes in the five decades since<br />

Tjio and Levan is impressive. <strong>The</strong> resolution possible with the light microscope has become so good<br />

that to go any further almost requires analysis <strong>of</strong> the DNA itself. Indeed, given the current interdependency<br />

between chromosome analysis and FISH, the distinction between classical cytogenetics<br />

and molecular analysis is no longer as discrete as it once was. <strong>The</strong> same can be said for the actual<br />

definition <strong>of</strong> a chromosome abnormality, given what is now known about imprinting and uniparental<br />

disomy.<br />

<strong>The</strong> information provided by the cytogenetics laboratory has become so complex that it <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

requires the expertise <strong>of</strong> a specialist who can assist both patient and health care provider with its<br />

interpretation. This is the role traditionally played by the genetic counselor.<br />

In this section, we explore the continuum that is cytogenetics, molecular genetics, and imprinting/<br />

UPD, as well as the practical utilization <strong>of</strong> data via genetic counseling.<br />

493

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