During the remaining 2 years the student would continue this original research, under the guidance of a faculty member. After completion of the Ph.D. degree, the student would need several additional years of training in a postdoctoral fellowship. Completion of this fellowship would qualify them to join the staff of a research laboratory, academic institution or biotechnology firm, and conduct their own original research. The ASHG is the primary professional organization of human geneticists in the United States. Current membership includes more than 5,000 medical doctors, research scientists and genetic counselors.
Genetic counselors are medical professionals trained in genetics and patient counseling.
Genetic counseling is usually provided by a genetic counselor or a medical geneticist. These counselors work with individuals, couples and families with questions about their medical or family history, or those at risk for having a child with a genetic condition or birth defect. Genetic counseling is an educational process to help one better understand the cause of the medical genetic problem. This information is reviewed, and almost like detectives, they try to piece together these facts with a specific diagnosis. The counselor will discuss the inheritance pattern.