Medical genetics is the application of genetics to the study of human health and diseases. As a profession, medical genetics is usually a mixture of both clinical services and research. Worldwide, services can include diagnosis, counseling, and management of birth defects and genetic disorders. How medical genetics is actually practiced depends on several factors, including the expertise and training of the professionals involved, the expertise available within any given medical facility, and the structure of the practice of medicine within a given society.

In the United States, the practice of medical genetics includes two different career tracks, both requiring certification by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG): the medical geneticist and the clinical geneticist. A medical geneticist holds a Ph.D. and is certified in medical genetics. Typically a medical geneticist is a highly trained research laboratory professional who can additionally take on the role...