Community genetics is one of the interfaces of medical genetics
that, by recognizing the role of genetically determined
factors as disease burden to people, aims to provide services in
this area of medical knowledge through inter- and transdisciplinary
actions in the community (Khoury 2000; Ramalho and
Silva 2000). One of its field actions is the recognition of
genetically determined conditions with two main objectives:
the identification of individuals and families at risk of becoming
ill and transmitting genetic diseases, such as the hemoglobinopathies
or hereditary cancer; and early identification of
genetic conditions for tertiary treatment and prevention
through genetic counseling (Ramalho and Silva 2000;
Llerena 2002; Brasil 2009).