The identification of a disease gene usually provides one immediate and practical benefit to individuals and families affected by the disease — a diagnostic test that can be used, in conjunction with genetic counselling, for carrier detection, prenatal diagnosis and so on. But how is this information publicized so that affected families, and their healthcare providers, know what help is available? In the United States, two publicly funded web sites that aim to meet this need are GeneClinics and GeneTests.

The information in GeneClinics is organized into disease profiles. For each disease, information is structured in the same way — diagnosis, management, genetic counselling and molecular genetics are a selection of the topics that are covered. Links are also provided to patient support groups. The disease profiles are written by experts, peer-reviewed, referenced (with links to PubMed and OMIM) and are regularly updated.

The companion site, GeneTests, brings together information on where to find the required genetic services. Two types of service are covered — laboratories offering genetic testing and genetic clinics providing diagnosis, management and counselling. A slideshow is also provided for use by genetics professionals for educational purposes. Participation by laboratories or clinics in GeneTest is voluntary, so the site is not comprehensive, but with around 500 laboratories and 900 clinics listed the site is a valuable first port of call.

Together, GeneClinics and GeneTests are part of the public face of genetics. Even if you don't need their services, the sites provide a clear indication of how much genetics has achieved and how much it has to offer.