Kayla DownsJunior MOLBIO Major What to become, what to become, what to become? (GC)I always loved biology, but being a doctor never struck my fancy. Becoming a veterinarian to save baby animals was still on the table when I arrived at Pitt, but while pursuing involvement in research, I rooted out what really buttered my brain: genetics. I took Genetics at Pitt while working in a lab focused on evolutionary development, and molecular biology and research became my career ground zero. I started to ponder genetic counseling when my mom brought up an organization she had worked with, National Organization for Rare Disorders, and how they collaborated with genetic counselors in their studies.
Genetic counseling is, for the most part, exactly what it sounds like: being an advisor and a river guide to people who might benefit from genetic testing in their healthcare. Either in-person or over the phone, genetic counseling (GC) is a conversation with someone who is trained to understand your family history and how heritable traits could affect you or your children. It is their job to suggest appropriate genetic testing for your situation and ensure you understand not only the process but also any results. Most GC work in settings with other doctors and can provide general care or specialize in areas such as:
Clinical genetic counselors work a relatively standard office 9-5. They see patients that are referred to them by associated physicians and work up case files about their visit, things to discuss, and notes on any research for their condition. One of the great things about genetic counseling is what a young medicine genetic testing is. New discoveries are being generated all the time, and GC’s are tasked with staying up to date on new research and tests so if a patient wasn’t able to be tested before, perhaps they can be now. GC’s in large medical establishments are often in charge of advocating for their field by attending meetings to remind physicians of the things they can/cannot refer patients for and provide their unique perspective to the medical ecosystem. “But you said you loved lab work?” Laboratory Counselors do both! They work behind the scenes, reviewing the tests ordered, analyzing and clinically correlating results, educating health providers, and working on research and development. Research-focused genetic counselors can collect information such as detailed family histories and pregnancy information that facilitate advances in research and care for people with genetic conditions. Genetic counselors are primarily acknowledged for their knowledge of genetics, but their counseling is often of unspoken importance. While GC’s don’t spend their days with absolutes like “you have cancer” or “your baby has down syndrome,” they do spend a lot of time with people in the “what-if” stage of worry. For many, not knowing is even worse than certainty and it is the counselor’s job to hear their concern and help in any way possible to make the process as streamlined and easy to understand as possible. Analyzing risks in their health, the client needs to feel at ease to open up and to know that what is being measured is not “will/will not” but rather “less/more likely to than the average bear.” Like in any difficult conversation, a friendly and understanding aura goes a long way. Sound interesting? Stop by my office hours Wednesdays from 6-7 to learn more. Check out more here: National Society of Genetic Counselors: https://www.nsgc.org/ Pitt Genetic Counseling Program: https://publichealth.pitt.edu/gcprogram Pitt Genetic Counseling Program requirements: https://publichealth.pitt.edu/human-genetics/academics/ms-in-genetic-counseling/admissions
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January 2022
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