In 1956 Pauling touched on a subject that he would promote for the next fifteen years – genetic counseling for carriers of molecular diseases. In order to convey the chances that a couple would have an unhealthy child, Pauling often explained the possible genetic make-up of an offspring between two heterozygotes. "When two of the heterozygotes, the carriers of the sickle-cell-anemia gene, marry, one-quarter of their children may be expected to have the disease sickle-cell-anemia, one-quarter to be normal, and one-half to be carriers like the parents."

Pauling advocated acknowledgment and action by carriers of genetic defects. He suggested genetic counseling for prospective carriers as a way to stop the spread of molecular diseases and minimize human suffering. Specifically, Pauling proposed that carriers of a hereditary disease should avoid marrying another carrier and that couples as prospective parents should consider whether or not to have children. Although people could be tested for sickling hemoglobin, at this time no test existed that could determine whether a person was a carrier of phenylketonuria.

Other scientists, who promoted counseling during the 1950s, invoked the same arguments as Pauling. One method of prevention that Pauling encouraged was the universal introduction of birth control.