With a few exceptions, chromosomal defects are associated with mental retardation. Children who are born with chromosomal abnormalities usually have shortened life-spans. Sometimes, directiveness occurs on asubtle level, such as body posture or tone of voice. It is probably impossible for any counselor to be entirely non-directive. Patient autonomy does allow for health care providers to educate the patient but does not allow the health care provider to make the decision for the patient.
Pedigrees usually contain medical information related to a genetic disease.
Pedigrees are used to determine who in a family is at risk for a genetic disease. A predictive test may sometimes give the probability that someone will develop a disease, rather than saying with absolute certainty that a genetic disease will or will not develop.