The Chinese language differs not only in pronunciation and phonetics from English but within regions, different dialects are spoken. The profession of genetic counseling developed to translate the discourse of human genetics into a more colloquial and popular language. The genetic counselor and patient become bound and limited by their own communicative resources. When communication requires translation, an inhibition of rapport between the counselor and the counselee often occurs. Selective translation or breeches of confidence may also arise when using translators.
Ethnocultural distinctiveness is perhaps the greatest barrier to receiving care.
Patients may have their own cultural interpretation for the cause of birth defects and genetic disease as well as have culturally-founded concepts of health, illness and disability. The use of home remedies and folk medicine can also ginterfere h with prescribed medications. Nondirective genetic counseling can seem confusing and unfamiliar to some ethnocultural groups who have specific role expectations for authority figures and medical professionals. The Chinese culture places great significance and respect in authority and the elderly. This is in contrast to the expectations of the genetic service provider.