Peer review: an essential step in the publishing process.

Among the many steps involved in publishing a professional paper, peer review of the submitted manuscript presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Peer review is essential to ensuring that published papers meet appropriate research, scholarship and journal criteria. Peer review is also a valuable resource, providing detailed, professional evaluations that help authors carry out and present scholarship of the highest quality. When combined with the commitment of the Journal of Genetic Counseling to encourage and mentor authors, it is also a resource for developing writing skills.