Category Archives: Robert Resta
Facts, Figures and Fictions in Genetic Counseling
Genetic counselors have a love/hate relationship with numbers. We sometimes sniff with contempt at numbers , and nobly proclaim that psychosocial issues are the real business of genetic counseling. On the other hand, patients and referring physicians demand concrete answers, … Continue reading
Filed under Robert Resta
GeeKnowType – The Unique Gene Boutique
“Know thyself,” said Socrates. We at GeeKnowType agree – everyone should have access to the personal knowledge hidden deep inside their DNA. But not everyone needs one of those pesky certified genetic “specialists” to guide them through the maze of … Continue reading
Filed under Robert Resta
Whither GeneTests?
Well, it looks like it may be the end of the line for GeneTests, the widely used clinical genetics website. On March 18, NIH announced that it will develop the Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) “an online resource that will provide … Continue reading
Filed under Robert Resta
The Great Genetic Counseling Divorce of 1992: A Historical Perspective On Change In The Genetic Counseling Profession
In 1992, the genetic counseling profession nearly imploded. What happened, and what do those events have to teach us as the profession faces new challenges? Continue reading
Filed under Robert Resta
Saqqaq Confidential
Is it ethically acceptable to study the genetic disease susceptibilities of dead people? Continue reading
Filed under Robert Resta
Counsyl, Counselors, and Counseling
Recent discussion on the NSGC listserv – and an article in the NY Times – has centered on the policies of Counsyl, a private lab that offers carrier genetic testing for more than 100 mendelian disorders. Specimens can be submitted to … Continue reading
Filed under Robert Resta
Testing Your Limits
We genetic counselors take great pride in our role as patient advocates. Everyone is equally deserving of our best professional skills and unbiased support. Rich, poor, immigrant, homeless, transgender, disabled, non-English speaking …. we like to think that none of … Continue reading
Filed under Robert Resta
A Ghost From Christmas Past (Gate B4)
Not uncommonly we run into our patients outside of the workplace – in supermarkets, restaurants, and the like. When this happens, patients are usually friendly and chatter pleasantly while we frantically try to recall their names and what had … Continue reading
Filed under Robert Resta
The Small Satori of Genetic Counseling
Let’s face it – lots of genetic counseling is repetitious. Most of us have subconsciously scripted our own version of a counseling session that we follow more rigidly than we like to admit, the inevitable outcome of seeing hundreds of … Continue reading
Filed under Robert Resta
Can You Feel Anything When I Do This?
Despite 26 years as a genetic counselor, people are often a mystery to me. Here I present a vignette that explores my inner thoughts and insecurities that can arise during a counseling session. It is drawn from no one specific … Continue reading
Filed under Robert Resta
