Ask the Geneticist (SM) is a collaborative effort of the Department of Human Genetics at Emory University and the Department of Genetics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The mission of Ask the Geneticist (SM) is to answer questions about genetic concepts, and the etiology, treatment, research, testing, and predisposition to genetic disorders. By providing a portal to information about genetics, Ask the Geneticist (SM) seeks to promote education and awareness of genetics in medicine for the public and those working in healthcare, and serves as a regional model for online genetics education.

Direct questions or comments about the site to: info@askthegen.org

Principal Investigator
Catherine Tesla, MS, CGC
Department of Human Genetics
Emory University School of Medicine

Consultant
Sandra Prucka, MS, CGC
Department of Genetics
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Consultant
Lynn Holt, MS, CGC
School of Health Professions
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Consultant
Nathaniel Robin, MD
Department of Genetics
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Consultant
Maria Descartes, MD
Department of Genetics
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Consultant
Edward Lose, MD
Department of Genetics
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Technical Support
Adrya Stembridge
Department of Human Genetics
Emory University School of Medicine

Consultants
Physicians, laboratory experts, researchers, and genetic counselors from the Department of Human Genetics at Emory University and the Department of Genetics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Advisory Board
Stephen T. Warren, Ph.D.
William Patterson Timmie Professor of Human Genetics
Chair, Department of Human Genetics
Emory University School of Medicine

Bruce R. Korf, M.D., Ph.D.
Wayne H. and Sara Crews Finley Professor of Genetics Chair,
Department of Genetics
University of Alabama at Birmingham

The information on this site is presented for the sole purpose of disseminating health information for general educational purposes only, and should not be considered to be medical advice.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911.

The information on this website is not intended or implied to be, and you understand and agree that the information does not constitute the provision or practice of medical, nursing, or professional health care advice or services. You understand and agree that the information contained on this Site is not intended nor implied to be, and you will not use it as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a physician-patient relationship. The content is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of any individual condition or as a substitute for a consultation with a licensed medical professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider prior to starting any treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Nothing contained on this website is intended to be or will be used by you for medical diagnosis or treatment. You understand that you should never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking treatment based on the information contained on this website. You understand and agree that the service and any content or information contained on the website is provided on an "as is" basis. You understand that while efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the information on this website, there is no guarantee that such information is accurate or up-to-date. You understand and agree that, except for information, products, or services clearly identified as being supplied by the website, the website does not operate, control, or endorse any information, products, or services on the internet, in any way.

Ask the Geneticist (SM) does not intend that children will use the website. Some of the information available on the website may not be appropriate for children. USERS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE MUST OBTAIN PARENTAL PERMISSION TO USE THE WEBSITE. Adults should not assist unauthorized children to access the website.

The website contains links to third party websites. These links are provided solely as a convenience to users and not as a guarantee, warrantee, endorsement or recommendation by Ask the Geneticist (SM) of the content on such third-party websites or as an indication of any affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement of such third party websites. If you decide to access linked third-party websites, you do so at your own risk. Your use of third-party websites is subject to the terms of use for such sites.

BY ENTERING AND USING THE Ask the Geneticist (SM) WEBSITE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE OF Ask the Geneticist (SM). THAT THE PROVISIONS, DISCLOSURES AND DISCLAIMERS SET FORTH ABOVE ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE, AND THAT YOUR AGREEMENT TO FOLLOW AND BE BOUND BY THEM IS VOLUNTARY AND IS NOT THE RESULT OF FRAUD, DURESS OR UNDUE INFLUENCE EXERCISED UPON YOU BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY. YOU ALSO AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS EMORY UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, MEMBERS, AGENTS, AFFILIATES, THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS, LICENSORS, AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN THE DELIVERY OF THE WEBSITE OR THE DELIVERY OF INFORMATION OVER THE WEBSITE, FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, EXPENSES, DAMAGES, AND COSTS, INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES, FROM ANY CLAIM, COMPLAINT OR DAMAGE ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY VIOLATION BY YOU OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Ask the Geneticist (SM) may ask for information about our users at the point of question submission. Such information may include name, e-mail address, city, state, country, and whether you are a parent of a child with a genetic condition, individual with a genetic condition, carrier for a genetic condition, pregnant couple, physician, teacher, student, etc. This information tells us about the types of people (e.g., providers vs. patients) who use the Website and helps us tailor the Website to our audience.

Ask the Geneticist (SM) may also use your profile information on an aggregate basis -- WITHOUT personal identifiers -- to develop and display new features and content for the Website, and to provide others with aggregate information about our users and the usage patterns of the Website. Ask the Geneticist (SM) may also perform statistical analyses of user behavior (on an aggregate basis) in order to measure interest in and use of the various areas of the website.

The Ask the Geneticist (SM) website and their contents are copyright protected by Emory University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce, distribute, and translate copies of content materials provided that credit for source (www.askthegen.org) and copyright (Emory University and University of Alabama at Birmingham) are included with each copy and a link to the appropriate material on the Ask the Geneticist (SM) website is provided whenever the material is published elsewhere on the World Wide Web.

When any part of the Ask the Geneticist (SM) Web site is used as a reference, it must be cited. Use the following formats:

• Citing the entire Web site
  
  Ask the Geneticist (SM). Copyright, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia and University of Alabama at Birmingham. 2003-2009. Updated continuously. Available at http://www.askthegen.org. Accessed [date of access].



• Citing Category of Questions
  
  In: Ask the Geneticist (SM). Question Category: [category name as given in Ask the Geneticist (SM)]. Copyright, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia and University of Alabama at Birmingham. 2003-2009. Available at http://www.askthegen.org. Accessed [date of access].



• Citing Educational Materials
  
  In: Ask the Geneticist (SM). Educational Materials: [section name as given in Ask the Geneticist (SM)]. Copyright, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia and University of Alabama at Birmingham. 2003-2009. Available at http://www.askthegen.org. Accessed [date of access].

Use of the Ask the Geneticist (SM) website, and content assumes the user's compliance with the following:

• Site Disclaimer
• Copyright Statement
• Citation Guidelines

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Last updated 1.29.09