Many engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling. A separate entity, the American Board of Genetic Counseling , certifies genetic counselors and accredits genetic counseling training programs. The National Society of Genetic Counselors is the professional membership association for the genetic counseling profession. Because we offer educational programs, it would be considered a conflict of interest for us to administer the Board exams. Genetic counseling is a process in which a genetic counselor educates families or individuals about their risk of passing on a genetic predisposition for certain disorders to future generations or of having inherited a disorder, themselves.
Gene therapy is the highly technical science of altering genes.
For example, genetic technologies have recently led to a new treatment for cystic fibrosis using gene therapy. Genetic counselors may discuss gene therapy in specific disorders, but they are not the professionals who conduct research or carry out the process. Genetic counselors are not involved in the process of cloning. An extensive listing of genetic counselors in the USA and around the world can be found at this website at the ResourceLink . Check out Career Information on this web site.