Robert Roger Lebel, MD (photo by Jim Howe) Robert Roger Lebel, MD (photo by Jim Howe) Some genetic abnormalities can be detected during pregnancy, some are recognized upon birth and others may go undetected because disorders caused by genetic abnormalities range in their severity and impact. Some genetic abnormalities can be detected during pregnancy, some are recognized upon birth and others may go undetected because disorders caused by genetic abnormalities range in their severity and impact. Robert Lebel, MD, Robert Lebel, MD, Upstate's director of Upstate's director of medical genetics, medical genetics, talks about genetic abnormalities, including those that are inherited and those that occur spontaneously. Lebel holds appointments in several departments at Upstate, including pediatrics, medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pathology and ethics. talks about genetic abnormalities, including those that are inherited and those that occur spontaneously. Lebel holds appointments in several departments at Upstate, including pediatrics, medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pathology and ethics.