HUM-MOLGEN archive: ETHI: genetic counselors

A few more responses to the original post. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 1. From: "S.Robert Young" <N700053@UNIVSCVM.CSD.SCAROLINA.EDU> There are 14-15 M.S. Genetic Counseling Programs in the U.S. right now with 1-2 comi ng open in the next year or two. Each accepts about 6 students each year for t he two year program. I understand that there are a couple of Training Programs in England and South Africa but to my knowledge that is all. I was asked to s peak to the Japanese Society of Human Genetics last October on what Counselor d o and how they are trained and how to set up a program so I know that they are considering. But, they are currently stumped on how the counseling would be fu nded and the general finances involved. They should have it worked out soon -- there are many well trained clinical geneticists there but they all do their ow n counseling. We trained two nurses from Taiwan two years ago who I thought wo uld be a nucleus for starting a training program in Taiwan. But it hasn't happ ened yet. They have 4 trained genetic counselors in Taiwan now (I believe). I am very interested in extending genetic counseling and would be happy to assis t anyone interested in starting. (We started our Program in 1985 and believe i t's been relatively successful). I don't really believe there is need for any new programs in the U.S. now until there are more positions available. There m ay be need but there aren't jobs. The directors of programs (who are organized into the "Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors") are quite conc erned that every graduate be able to find a job. The general U.S. market for c ounselors is near equal now. I have been waiting for a growing demand in the c ancer genetic counseling arena but it is developing a little slowly. I'd be ha ppy to discuss further. S. Robert Young, PhD, Professor of Ob/Gyn and Dire ctor of Genetic Counseling Training Program, University of South Carolina Schoo l of Medicine, Columbia. Ph=803-779-4928 Fax=803-434-4699 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX From: Isa Samuels <isa@RADLAB.UCSF.EDU> I don't know about other countries but there are programs I know of in California. It seems like there might just be a shortage of genetic counselors in the future since some of these programs (and there are only a few of them) require counselling experience which most geneticists don't have. Also, most counselors don't have the genetic background required. Or do you think I am making too much of an assumption? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX From: Robert Resta <bc928@SCN.ORG> > There are training programs for genetic counselors in Canada, England, and I believe Australia. In the US, programs are certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. The National Society of Genetic Counselors has a formalized Code of Ethics, published in the Journal of Genetic Counseling, 1(1):41-44 (1992). EDITOR's NOTE: The author is the incoming editor-in-chief of the Journal of Genetic Counseling. Anybody interested in subscribing to this publication should contact him directly. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX From: DR EXMOND DECRUZ <EDECRUZ@WIS.RIV.CSU.EDU.AU> Australia has a number of courses in genetic counselling which are offered by various universities and most of which are accredited by the Human Genetics Society of Australia. To my knowledge, there are also several Masters level courses in North America (Canada and the United State s): Program in Genetic Counselling, School of Public Health, Univ of California, Berkeley; Sarah Lawrence College, New York; Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York; Mcgill University, Montreal, Canada; also at Indiana University and Brandeis. An outline of curricula was published by Smith, A.C.M. (1993) Jnl of Genetic Counselling, 2,p197. All courses appear to have expert input from trained medical geneticists and counsellors and the impact of modern advances in molecular genetics appear to be represented to varying degrees in all courses. There is no doubt that there is some resistance to the inroads of molecular genetics by traditional medical geneticists much as there was in other disciplines like biochemistry, physiology and neurobiology in times past. There is however a strong base in ethics in virtually all courses. Here in Australia, Charles Sturt University is introducing a course in genetic counselling at the postgraduate diploma level next year which is expected to receive accreditation from the Australian Human Genetics Society. The Sturt University course includes aspects related to medical molecular genetics, cytogenetics, reproductive technologies as well as professional issues subjects which cover bioethics, limitations in predictive values, risk perception and assessment, confidentiality and privacy issues. There are also courses run at the University of Sydney and University of New England. Interested persons may wish to contact in the first instance, John Rae of the Human Genetics Society of Australia whose address is: North West Health Service, 180 Peel Street, Tamworth NSW 2340 Tel: 067 662555/Fax: 067 663967 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Hello all. I have been following this thread with great interest. This topic has come up at the most opportune time for me; I have been trying to locate further addresses for counselling programs since I would like to become a counsellor. Does anyone know if there is such a program in England? Thank you all for your help. Sincerely, Linda Monica Hansen, BSc. lhansen@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX EDITOR"S NOTE: To summarize the responses to date, it seems that of the forty-nine countries with subscribers to HUM-MOLGEN, approximately 8 have training programs in this area. Yet in the US, which has the largest number of training programs, (and presumably trained personnel),although the need apparently exists for counsellors, they are not being hired. Is this need of which Francis Collins and Robert Young spoke illusory? Are most PhD geneticists, MD'S and RN's capable of and/or willing to deal with the complex issues and strong emotions raised by predictive genetic testing? If not, is the example of the Netherlands, where predictive testing is available only in specially designated clinics, a model other countries might consider?