What is the role of genetic counselors today?
Genetic counselors are Masters-level trained healthcare providers. They usually have undergraduate degrees in subjects like biology, chemistry, genetics, psychology, and then they get a Masters in genetic counseling. There are about 30 programs across the United States and Canada that offer this degree. Post-graduation, they are board-certified by our credentialing body, which is the American Board of Genetic Counselors. Historically, [genetic counseling] has evolved from more reproductive genetics, in the prenatal setting and also in the pediatric setting, to being involved in adult cancer, neurogenetics, cardiovascular disease, and [other diseases]. One common thing that always is on the forefront of any kind of genetic test is talking about risk. And genetic counselors have a lot of training in talking about risk. We have been successful in expanding into many different roles, and talking about many different types of risk. It might be a risk to your baby, [or it might be] risks [re
